SOLOMON Islands striker Benjamin Totori scored a hat-trick in a dazzling display of speed and skill as the Solomon Island Olympic side romped home 6-1 against Papua New Guinea in their opening match of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifiers at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji, on Saturday.
Totori was a menace to the PNG defence from the opening whistle and it didn’t take him long to find the back of the net after blasting home a right footed drive in the 9th minute.
Papua New Guinea’s troubles were compounded three minutes later when Jases Nawo’s low cross was fumbled into the back of the net by goalkeeper Gure Gabina.
Totori found his second from close range after 16 minutes and the game was effectively over before it had begun. Papua New Guinea held on till halftime without conceding again, but had no answers to the silk slick skills of Alick Maemae, Benjamin Totori and Nelson Sale.
Totori turned provider in the 51st minute when he broke down the right, cut back and crossed for Joachim Rande to apply the finishing touches.
Papua New Guinea got one back in the 65th minute when Raymond Gunemba’s cross found Mathias Apo who found a consolation goal for his side.
The hat trick was complete for Totori in the 68th minute after he used his pace to outstrip the PNG defence and calmly slot the ball past the outstretched PNG keeper with the outside of his right foot.
Nelson Sale finished off the job for a razor sharp Solomon outfit when he slotted home the sixth and final goal of the night.
Papua New Guinea Coach George Cowie was very disappointed with the way his side performed.
“The bottom line is we got what we deserved,” he said. “We were very disorganised at the back, we were caught for a dreadful lack of pace, and while I thought we had prepared as well as we could have in the 6 weeks I’ve been working with the boys I think a lack of international experience told the story in the end.
Solomon Island coach Luke Eroi hopes that his side’s great success in their first game carries over into today’s matches.
“I’m really happy with the way our first game went. Our attack was very good and I’m pleased with the way they found the back of the net, but we will be working very hard between now and our next game to try and make it happen again.”