South Pacific Cup Results Day 1

The South Pacific Cup started today with three terrific games of football between Papua New Guinea, New Zealand & Oceania (Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Nauru). PNG were in control of both of their games and look like the team to beat!

Game 1:

Papua New Guinea 5-8-38 Def New Zealand 1-1-7

PNG jumped NZ early with speed and tenacity to post a 5 goal lead. NZ steadied and showed they will be tough to beat during the rest of the week with there tall’s standing up to take some much needed contested marks.

Goal Kickers:

PNG – Siwee 2 Gavuri 2 Savere 1

NZ – Middleton 1

Best Players:

PNG – Siwee, Gavuri, Lavong, Severe, J.Tirang, Nawi, John, B.Tirang

NZ – Phillips, Mason, Brunel, Riddell, Clark

Game 2:

Papua New Guinea 5-3-33 Def Oceania 2-1-13

Terrifically close game between these two sides for the first half and most of the second. PNG’s finishing skills and polish stood out at the end to hold back a fighting Oceania side. Oceania played a great game and fought their way to the end.

Goal Kickers:

PNG – Siwee 3 Nawi 1 Rai 1

Oceania – Tuvasu 1 Maaki 1

Best Players:

PNG – Siwee, Nawi, Rai, Lavong, Rau, Kembu, Ekari, B.Tirang

Oceania – Ramo, Havea, Waqu, Taulani, Generogo, Dagiaro

Game 3:

Oceania 1-5-11 Drew New Zealand 1-5-11

Very close game all the way to the end with NZ kicking a goal in the last minute to draw the game. The game was very close with the NZ tall’s taking big grabs and the Oceania running players moving the ball from end to end. By the end with both teams getting tired the game finished in a draw.

Goal Kickers:

Oceania – Havea 1

NZ – Hunia 1

Best Players:

Oceania – Nabangamiala, Dagiaro, Taufoou, Bonga, Sablon, Foilape, Sailo

NZ – Riddell, Phillips, Fifita, Ngata, Albert