Solomon Warriors FC has regained some pride after ending their campaign in the OFC Champions League thrashing the underdogs of pool A Kiwi FC 8-0 yesterday at the Churchill Park Stadium in Lautoka, Fiji.
As usual, beach soccer sensation James Naka got the scoring underway six minutes from kick off followed by a hat trick by futsal maestro Micah Lea’alafa before Dennis Ifunaoa, Jerry Donga and Gagame Feni had their names on the score sheet for the first time in the competition to finish off.
Warriors now sit on second spot but despite the win and the high score Warriors is out of contention making it an early departure for them.
It may be an early exit of the country’s top club but it does give the Warriors players more experience and see which area they needed to work more on when competing in such big competitions.
Kiwi FC on the other hand is equipped with three Solomon Islands players came close at times for a goal but could not really had a clear chance to break their own deadlock.
Both teams were out of playoff contention after consecutive losses in the first two rounds of matches.
Solomon Warriors almost created an upset against Waitakere after taking the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Micah Lea’alafa paired up with James Naka to beat Waitakere keeper and 2013 Golden Glove Danny Robinson.
It was a frustrating match for the two teams who were unable to finish their chances and it wasn’t until the 86th minute that Joel Stevens put in a cross that beat Warriors keeper Silas Seda, who punched it into the back of his own net.
Warriors would have had a better chance of advancing further if they had won the match against Waitakere.
Despite the draw and subsequent end to Warriors’ OFC Champions League tournament, coach Moses Toata was still pleased with his team’s performance.
The team is expected to arrive back home this week.
Meanwhile AS Pirae continued its undefeated run defeating Waitakere 3-1 in yesterday’s final group match.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
