One of the most traditional football tournaments of the Solomon Islands continued this Sunday in Honiara at Lawson Tama Stadium with the two debut matches of the Group B; Makira Ulawa smashed Renbel Ibis while the hosts Honiara Warriors suffered a heartbreaking defend in hands of Isabel Frigates.
The first match saw the talented side of Makira Ulawa to jump in front of the scoreline against Renbel Ibis thanks to George Hanua at the 16th mintue of play. Steward Hagatepu still added another before half-time to double the lead and confirm the dominance of his side over Renbel.
In the second half the party for the team in black continued; the same Hanua and Hagatepu scored one more goal each to put 4-0 upfront Renbel Ibis. In the late stages of the game, the veteran Nicholas Muri added another in the account to give final numbers for the clash: Makira Ulawa 5-0 Renbel Ibis.
The second match of the day between Isabel Frigates and Honiara Warriors was very intense and equal until the final minutes of the clash; the first was goaless, but the last ten minutes of the clash decided the outcome of the debut of both sides in the competition: Franster Rukumana scored first for the hosts Warriors to give them the lead at the 82th of play, but what seemed to be the start of a narrow ended up in a nightmare for the team representing the capital of Solomon Islands.
Minutes later the hosts goal, Mostyn Kelly equalised for Isabel – a relief for the team, but more was just down the corner: Obed Havimana scored the second for Isabel Frigates to complete the comeback and already near to injury time the team captain Samuel Osifelo confirmed his team win scoring the third: Isabel Frigates 3-1 Honiara Warriors.
The Solomon Cup is a tournament where players of the national league – Telekom S-League – do not take place. Local players represent the islands and regions of the country in the ‘Solomon Islands’ World Cup’ as recently called by officials in the country. This can be pathways for tallented players to join the national league. You can check the updated results of the tournament by visiting our session about the 2020 Solomon Cup.
Oceania Football Center 