TAHITI United and Solomon Kings went head-to-head in the OFC Pro League, Challengers Group at Eden Park in a battle of fifth against sixth.
Playmaker Tevita Waranaivalu was at his usual best for Tahiti while Germain Haewegene and Mateo Degrumelle pressed towards the King’s goal.
Once the Kings flexed their muscles, Sota Higashide, Gordon Iro, and William Komasi produced a few missed opportunities.
After a scoreless first half, Raphael Lea’i scored the first goal in the 48th minute for the Solomon Kings to lead led 1 – 0.
Joseph Athale scored for Tahiti only to be disallowed by the VAR for an offside infringement.
Eventually Bradley Ruiz scored for Tahiti but Jez Lofthouse sealed the win for the Kings in the 83rd minute.
Solomon Kings 2, Tahiti United 1.
In the second match, OFC top scorer Alex Saniel was the key player as Vanuatu United took on PNG Hekari FC.
Rising star Raymond Diho scored Vanuatu’s first goal in the 29th minute.
Then PNG Hekari captain Ati Kepo levelled the score 1 – 1 with a rocket of a shot from the edge of the box.
But just as things started to look favorable for PNG in the second half, Alex Saniel found the sweet spot on his right boot to score a spectacular goal for Vanuatu.
Saniel scored again in the 85th minute to seal 3 – 1 win for Vanuatu.
