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OFC Nations Cup 2002
Auckland, New Zealand 5-14 July
Match 4, Day Two (Saturday 6 July):
Group A - Ericsson Stadium
Final Score: Australia 2 Vanuatu 0
(Halftime: 0-0)
Vanuatu prove difficult opponent for Socceroos
By Peter Rees - OFC Media Officer
Socceroos coach Frank Farina acknowledged the gap with the island nations
was indeed closing but was satisfied his side was able to hold their shape
and discipline against an impressive Vanuatu side at Ericsson Stadium on
Saturday.
The young Vanuatu team had a fair amount of possession but was unable to
convert this into points, while the Socceroos were able to absorb the
pressure to score two late goals through Damien Mori and Bobby Despotovski.
To Vanuatus credit they dominated in the midfield exchanges which surprised
everybody except Farina and captain Steve Horvat who both admitted
afterwards that they knew exactly what to expect going by the teams last
meeting two years ago in Papeete, Tahiti.
Vanuatu coach Carlos Buzzetti was hugely disappointed to have conceded goals
late in the game after being on equal terms for much of the match. However,
he commended his players for their effort and set his sights on winning the
remaining two group matches to hopefully qualify for the semi-finals.
For Vanuatu, Wilkins Simon Lauru had an impressive all-round game with
goalkeeper David Chilia also showing his experience. Farina said there would
be changes after this game due to the busy schedule that sees three matches
in five days.
Goalscorers:
69th min - # 9 Damien Mori (Australia)
85th min - #10 Bobby Despotovski (Australia)
Substitutions:
Australia
# 10 Bobby Despotovski for # 12 Tom Pondeljak (62 )
# 16 Paul Trimboli for # 15 Ante Milicic (62)
# 7 Robert Middlesby for # 11 Scott Chipperfield (72)
Vanuatu
# 18 Jean Robert Yelou for # 14 Richard Iwai (60)
# 19 Philip Tomake for # 15 Pita David Maki (64)
# 17 Alphonse W. Qorig for Maki G. Haitong (85)
Cautions:
Yellow - # 11 Scott Chipperfield AUSTRALIA (04)
Yellow - # 6 Patrick Kisnorbo AUSTRALIA (40)
Yellow - # 1 David Chilia VANUATU (41)
Team Lists:
Vanuatu: 1. David Chilia 4. Wilkins Simon Lauru 5. Lexa Bule Bibi 6. Willie
August Marango 9. Seimata Chilia 10. Etienne Mermer 11. Maki Gerard Haitong
12. Graham Demas 14. Richard Iwai 15. Pita David Maki 16. Daniel Koko Alick
BENCH: 2. Ken Masauvakalo 3. Manley Junior Tabe 7. Fedy Vava 8. Ali Silas
13. Sandy Alex Alick 17. Alphonse Welin Qorig 18. Jean Robert Yelou 19.
Philip Tomake 20. John Presley Garae
Coach: Carlos Buzzetti
Australia: 1. Jason Petkovic 2. Fausto de Amicis 3. Jade North 4. Mehmed
Durakovic 5. Steve Horvat 6. Patrick Kisnorbo 9. Damien Mori 11. Scott
Chipperfield 12. Tom Poneljak 13. Milan Blagojevic 15. Ante Milicic
BENCH: 7. Robert Middlesby 8. Joel Porter 10. Bobby Despotovski 14. Angelo
Costanzo16. Paul Trimboli 17. Ante Juric 18. Dean Anastasiadis
Coach: Frank Farina
Referee: Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti)
Assistant Referee 1: Michel Angot (Tahiti)
Assistant Referee 2: Tevita Vea (Tonga)
Fourth Official: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)
Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Crowd: 1000 +
Weather: Cold, slight breeze
Start time: 7:30pm
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