WESTERN TOMOKO has created history by winning the Solomon Cup tournament for the first time since they joined the Solomon Cup.
Tomoko finished off the grand final with a narrow 1-0 win over the defending champions, Malaita Eagles in the grand final match at Lawson Tama yesterday afternoon.
Geso Kituru finished off a Sipakana pass for the winning goal in the second half.
It was a tough and equally fought match which saw both sides having their chances to come out victorious.
Tomoko coach Seri Hite is happy to be part of Western Province football history and at the same time congratulated Malaita Eagles for a well-played game.
“First I would like to thank the Almighty for today’s victory.
“I would like to thank Malaita Eagles for a great game, actually they were the better side, and you can see by their performance, they did an excellent job
“It was just fortunate that we score in one of the very few chances we had
“Our plan was to defend and at the appropriate times we counter,” he said.
Malaita Eagles Coach Terry Oiaka also admitted having the upper hand in dominating the game but was unfortunate not to score their scoring chances.
“It was a good game, Western Tomoko had their chances and scored and we did not, that’s the difference today.
“That’s football if you have the chance but you don’t score and the other team scores their chances, then they win,” he said.
Meanwhile, Makira Ulawa Kakamora finished third after defeating Isabel Frigate 3-2 in the losers’ final.
Isabel Frigates received a prize award of $10 000, Kakamora $20 000 with bronze medals, Malaita Eagles $30 000 with silver medals, and Western Tomoko gold medals and $50 000.
Consolation prizes were awarded to Junior Zimri of Malaita Eagles for the Player of the Tournament, Tomoko’s goalkeeper for the Golden Glove award, and Sipakana for the golden boot award.
CARLOS ARUAFU
Newsroom, Honiara
