Hosts make playoffs

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

Papua New Guinea has for the first time qualified for the men’s soccer finals in Pacific Games after beating Solomon Islands 2-1 in the soccer yesterday at Bisini sports ground.

PNG under-23 striker Tommy Semmy ran into an Emmanuel Airem cross ball to blast in the first goal to lift PNG spirit in dominating the first half. 

PNG goalkeeper Ismael Pole was replaced by Charles Lepani before halftime after he was stretchered off the pitch after putting his body on the line to save a potential goal attempt by Solomon Islands striker Timothy Bakale.

Unlike in their last match against New Caladonia, Solomon Islands put on an improved and stronger performance against PNG with their Deputy Prime Minister Douglas Ete watching from the sideline.

The visitors upped the pressure on PNG in the second half however the hosts held on through midfielder Jacob Sabua who managed a one man defense against two opponents to score the second goal.

Davidson Tome managed a consolation goal in the dying minutes when PNG’s defence was relaxed.

The win came at a cost for PNG with leftbacks Otto Kusunan was yellow-carded twice by Fijian referee Ravitesh Behari. “We are through to the finals, that’s history, you better start writing something good about us, OK,” said PNG coach Ricki Herbert.

Herbert said their last loss to New Zealand was through a mistake where there was a handball offence by New Zealand player which the referee missed, but which they confirmed after reviewing the match videos closely.