Vanuatu v. Solomon Islands, 27/4/11

The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website | home

Vanuatu Pay Penalty As Solomons Win A Thriller

by Jeremy Ruane

In unquestionably the best game of the OFC U-20 Championship to date, the Solomon Islands stunned Vanuatu 3-2 on penalties on North Harbour Stadium’s outer oval on April 27 to qualify for the tournament final, after the teams had produced an epic two-hour encounter which eventually finished 3-3.

All appeared to be going to plan for the unbeaten Group A winners in the early stages of proceedings, as Vanuatu took an eighth minute lead. Solomons’ ‘keeper Silas Seda spilled a Silas Frank cross from the right, and Didier Kalip pounced to prod the ball home from six yards.

The rain-slicked playing surface saw players from both teams losing their footing on numerous occasions throughout the first half, but the Solomons gradually fought their way back into the contest, Chris Tafoa forcing Vanuatu goalkeeper Seiloni Iaruel to tip his free-kick over the bar in the seventeenth minute.

Seconds later, at the other end of the park, Seda was forced to save bravely at the feet of the ever-dangerous Jean Kaltak after Frank had made in-roads down the left. But the action was back in the Vanuatu penalty area in the 22nd minute, with the usually reliable Iaruel coming unstuck on this occasion, fumbling a cross then fouling Solomons striker Tutizama Tanito in his attempts to recover his error.

Referee Peter O’Leary didn’t hesitate - penalty. Up stepped Dennis Ifunaoa, only for Iaruel to redeem himself with a fine parried save to his left from twelve yards to maintain Vanuatu’s lead.

The Solomons kept the pressure on following the foiling of this clear-cut chance, and after Toata Tigi had struck the outside of the post with a stinging drive, they drew level in the 25th minute.

Ifunaoa, eager to make amends for his blemish, raced down the right before clipping a cross into Himson Teleda, whose deft control afforded him time to turn on the ball and assess his options, one of which was a first-time shot. Duly fired, it ricocheted into the net off a defender, the deflection completely deceiving Iaruel, who had the initial effort covered - 1-1.

A right royal arm wrestle ensued over the next fifteen minutes, with the Solomons squandering a glorious chance to take the lead half-way through this period. Ifunaoa and Tanito worked a one-two on the right which left the latter one-on-one with Iaruel. But instead of backing himself, the striker opted to play the ball inside, only to pick out a Vanuatu defender …

The teams appeared set to go to the dressing rooms at half-time with a goal apiece to their credit. But three minutes before the break, a moment of individual brilliance turned the game on its head.

Vanuatu fullback Kevin Shem appeared quite content to shepherd the ball out of play, only to be

caught napping by Teleda. The scorer of the Solomons’ opening goal then waltzed past Lucien Hinge before beating Iaruel all ends up at his near post - a superb solo strike which was enough to earn "Solo" a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Try as they might, Vanuatu found the going tough throughout the second half, and were unable to impose themselves on the game in anything like the dominant manner they had swept aside their group opponents.

If anything, the Solomons should have increased their advantage over opponents whose play was lacking in confidence - they certainly had the chances to do so, especially just after the hour mark.

As in the first half, Iaruel was culpable, his poor clearance inviting Tigi to let fly in the 63rd minute. The back-pedalling ‘keeper managed to tip away this goal-bound effort, but was at fault again soon after as he misjudged Brian Kaltak’s header back to him. Tanito nipped in front of the stranded ‘keeper to head the ball towards the target, but much to Iaruel’s relief, the ball crept past the post with the goal gaping.

Out of nowhere, Vanuatu equalised twelve minutes from time - they hadn’t even looked like they had another goal in them up to this point. But Kalip had other ideas, and dashed down the left before rounding Freddie Kini and whipping a low cross into the danger zone. Sliding in on the far post was Jean Kaltak - 2-2.

There was only one team in it after the equaliser, as Vanuatu went all out for what, for much of the match, had looked an unlikely winner. Pascal Chabot picked out the head of Jean Kaltak with a pinpoint free-kick two minutes from time, but the scorer was narrowly off target on this occasion, while Kalip shot straight at Seda in stoppage time when scoring appeared the easier option.

The sound of the full-time whistle meant an additional thirty minutes’ play would be necessary to separate these teams, and just two minutes into extra time, the deadlock was broken.

A horrible mix-up between Brian Kaltak and Iaruel on the edge of their penalty area saw both Vanuatu players leave well alone a clearance one or other should easily have dealt with.

Solomons substitute Larry Sae was lurking with intent and gleefully took full advantage, nipping in to poke the ball between the startled pair and into the far corner of the net - 3-2 Solomons, the perfect start to extra time.

For it meant Vanuatu had to come from behind again - they had no option, for the alternative was the third place play-off. Sure enough, they went for it, with Jean Kaltak directing a header at Seda after Octav Meltecoin and Shem had combined on the right in the 96th minute.

Four minutes later, substitute Yvong Wilson let rip a thirty yard drive which Seda calmly plucked from the sky as it flew towards the top left-hand corner of his net, to which the Solomons responded via a Tafoa free-kick, which picked out Augustine Samani, the tallest player in the team. His header flashed inches over the bar.

Half-time in extra time came and went, and the Solomons continued to hold the upper hand. Tanito’s twenty yarder was tipped over the top by Iaruel, an effort which came at a time when Vanuatu had again appeared to run out of ideas.

However, salvation was at hand from an unlikely source, five minutes from time. A free-kick was awarded way out on the right flank, some thirty-five yards from goal. Shem took responsibility for the delivery, and picked out a beauty, the ball soaring into the top far corner of the net to prompt yet another twist in this remarkable semi-final - 3-3.

And that’s how it stayed, despite both teams’ desperate attempts to break the deadlock in the minutes which remained. It meant it came down to the dreaded penalty shoot-out to determine which team would head to the final, and which would contest the third place play-off, a path down which neither Vanuatu nor the Solomon Islands intended travelling.

Willie-Ola Jimmy was first up for Vanuatu, but Seda dive to his right to save. Chris Tafoa’s reply for the Solomons soared over the crossbar, while Seda dived to his left to save Kalip’s penalty, as Vanuatu missed their second attempt from as many spot-kicks.

The Solomons’ Steven Saru finally got the mix right, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot, a feat replicated by Wilson seconds later. Samani belted the ball home into the top corner to restore the Solomons’ lead, only for Vanuatu substitute Rodrick Naut to execute a solid penalty beyond the dive of Seda.

2-2, but with the Solomons having a kick in hand. Substitute Hudson Felani took it, and sent Iaruel the wrong way from the spot, meaning Chabot had to score to keep Vanuatu in a contest the Solomons were now leading 3-2

He calmly sent Seda the wrong way from the spot, only to look on in horror as the ball rolled agonisingly the wrong side of the post - game over, the Solomon Islands victorious in the cruellest manner of all.

Vanuatu: Iaruel; Shem (booked, 61), Hinge, B. Kaltak, Jimmy; Moli-Kalotang (Meltecoin, 76), Stephen (Naut, 94), Chabot, Kalip; J. Kaltak, Frank (Wilson, 64)

Solomons: Seda; Kini, Boso (booked, 26), Sira, Tafoa (booked, 80); Tigi (Rata, 68), Saru, Samani, Ifunaoa (Sae, 90), Teleda (booked, 61) (Felani, 109); Tanito

Referee: Peter O’Leary (New Zealand)

Representative