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OFC Nations Cup 2002
Auckland, New Zealand 5-14 July
Match 1, Day One (Friday 5 July):
Group B - North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Final Score: Papua New Guinea 0 Solomon Islands 0
(Halftime 0-0)
The first match of the OFC Nations Cup 2002 ended in a nil all draw between
Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Not that the game was devoid of
scoring opportunities. Both teams had ample chances at goal but could not
capitalise in the wet and blustery conditions tonight at North Harbour
Stadium.
Solomon Islands coach George Cowie was disappointed afterwards ruing a
number of missed chances which he blamed on the slippery conditions. His
star strike pair of captain Batram Suri and Commins Menapi failed to finish
of several scoring moves from good positions.
Cowie was full of praise for the PNG team but did not say his team had
underestimated their opposition despite going into match as favourites.
PNG coach Steve Cain was delighted with his team's performances saying while
they had not won the match, they had achieved one of their objectives of
"not conceding any goals."
For PNG, goalkeeper Tapas Posman and midfield general Richard Daniel were
their team's best, while captain Joe Aisa and striker Reginald Davani were
also prominent.
Aisa said afterwards that they would take the draw and move on to their next
challenge against New Zealand on Sunday 9 July. He was generally pleased
with his team's performance but admitted they would have to finish the
chances they do get in their future matches.
Goalscorers:
none
Substitutions:
Papua New Guinea
# 11 Selan Elizah for #14 Francis Moiyap (65')
# 19 Steven Mali for #17 Ken Gule (76')
Solomon Islands
# 11 Patterson Daudau for # 5 Richard Ruakome (62')
# 12 Vivian Wickham for # 15 Jack Samani (72')
#13 Jerry Allen for # 3 Mahlon Houkarawa (83')
Cautions:
Yellow - # 7 Desmond Sow PAPUA NEW GUINEA (02')
Yellow - # 16 Henry Koto SOLOMON ISLANDS (20')
Yellow - # 9 Richard Daniel PAPUA NEW GUINEA (44')
Yellow - # 2 Saeni Daudau SOLOMON ISLANDS (67')
Yellow - # 11 Selan Elizah PAPUA NEW GUINEA (78')
Team Lineups:
Solomon Islands: 1. Severino Aefi 2. Saeni Daudau 3. Mahlon Houkarawa 5.
Richard Ruakome 6. Martin Ruhasia 9. Commins Menapi 10. Batram Suri 14.
Stanley Waita 15. Jack Samani 16. Henry Koto 17. Gideon Omorikio
BENCH: 4. George Suri 7. Timothy Paoka 8. Leslie Leo 11. Patterson Daudau
12. Vivian Wickham 13. Jerry Allen 18. Henry Faarodo 19. David Fisirua 20.
Fred Hale
Coach: G. Cowie
Papua New Guinea: 20. David Aua 2. Joe Aisa 5. Paul Komboi 6. Fred Hans 7.
Desmond Sow 8. Jonah Malus 9. Richard Daniel 10. Reginald Davani 14.
Francis Moiyap 16. Yanding Tomda 17. Ken Gule
BENCH: 1. Tapas Posman 3. Enoch Abraham 4. Charlie Somasi 11. Selan Elizah
12. Michael Lohai 13. Elias Piawari 15. Alu Kamake 18. Nasa Wangu 19. Steven
Mali
Coach: S. Cain
Referee: Matthew Breeze (Australia)
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan Gibson (Australia)
Assistant Referee 2: Malo Vaga (Samoa)
Fourth Official: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)
Match Commissioner: Armand Colombani (Tahiti)
Referee Inspector: Ken Wallace (New Zealand)
Crowd attendance: 1000 + approx
Weather: Cold, windy, rainy
Start time: 5:00pm
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