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OFC Group 2: Vanuatu and Fiji through. PNG left to lick their wounds.
Group two of OFC qualifying was completed before the weekend and ended in somewhat of an anti-climax compared to the drama of group one. That's not to say it wasn't all up for grabs in the last round however!
It started with PNG and vanuatu, two teams that would find themselves facing elimination at the end. They fought out a 1-1 draw in what was a bit of an upset. It was all square until Maurie Wasi struck for PNG. However a last minute goal from Vanuatu's Simon Lauru saved some face. Both teams left disappointed. Vanuatu due to not taking full points while PNG had to come to grips with letting what proved to be a decisive 2 points slip from their reach. The battle of the Samoans was the other first round match in what was a really mouth watering clash of the woodenspooners. Neither side was really going to contend for a place in Adelaide but they had alot to prove. It would be Samoa however that would run out 4-0 winners. Tama Fa'asavalu scored twice while Dennis Bryce netted early and Nicky Salapu scored from the penalty spot.
Round two was a little easier for Vanuatu as they stormed over American Samoa 9-1. Etienne Mermer scored a hat-trick, Alphose Qorig and Jean Maleb both with doubles while Moise Poida and Seimata Chilia put their names in lights. American Samoa's only goal for the tornament came through Natia Natia on 41 minutes. Fiji had a tougher assignment, taking on an improving PNG. Reginald Davani scored to give PNG an early lead but by the half time break the sides were even at 2-2 after Pita Rabo and Veresa Toma scored for the Fijians and PNG's Paul Komboi kept it interesting. After the break however Fiji took the reigns and halted PNG's attack, scoring twice more through Laisiasa Gataurua and Seveci Rokotakala to seal a 4-2 victory.
The third round saw a cricket score and a disappointing score, despite a convincing win. Fiji showed why it was a favourite to walk to Adelaide later this month with an 11-0 whipping of American Samoa. Toma scored a hat-trick while Rokotakala, Gataurua and Waisake Sabutu scored braces. Thomas Vulivuli and Esala Masinisau each scored once. Vanuatu was expected to beat Samoa similarly but were held to only 3-0 by the hosts. Mermer scored early before Seimata Chilia and Jean Maleb scored within 3 minutes of each other. They were expecrted to go on with the job but couldn't do it, remaining at only 3-0.
Round four saw group 2 revalation PNG in action once more, this time against American Samoa. And like the Fijians they gave them a thumping. 10-0 the final result in favour of PNG with Davani netting four times and Andrew Lepani scoring a hat-trick. Wasi, Komboi and Michael Lohai each scored once. Fiji faired little better than Vanuatu when they took on Samoa. A 4-0 victory still convincing however as Toma, Sabutu, Masinisau and Rokotakala scoring one each to secure victory.
This left Vanuatu and Fiji to face off with PNG looking to down Samoa in the final match of the tornament. However in order for PNG to progress Fiji had to beat Vanuatu, a team some considered the third best in the region. They may be right after their emphatic display against a strong Fiji.
Lauru was the man as he scored two goals against Fiji while Lorry Thomsen put them ahead to give Vanuatu a 3-0 win and the top position in the group. The win shut PNG out with the only thing to play for now was pride. And they didn't disappoint. Davani scored once more while A. Lepani, Nathaniel Lepani and Eric Komeng all put their names on the scoresheet. Junior Michael grabbed a consolation goal for Samoa to end scoring for the game.
While PNG didn't qualify they have built a launching pad for future campaigns which looks promising. This year however it'll be Vanuatu and Fiji progressing to the second round of qualifying in Adelaide.
Vanuatu schedule for the six nations tornament is as follows:
Solomon Islands - May 29
Fiji - May 31
New Zealand - June 2
Australia - June 4
Tahiti - June 6
Fiji schedule for the six nations tornament is as follows:
Tahiti - May 29
Vanuatu - May 31
Australia - June 2
Solomon Islands - June 4
New Zealand - June 6
22 May, 2004 |
