Solomon Islands U-19 celebrates historic win, prepares for final showdown against Australia U-17 in Honiara

The Solomon Islands U-19 team is gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch against Australia U-17 this Sunday at the Solomon Islands National Stadium in Honiara. The upcoming match is the final fixture of Australia’s Pacific Tour and follows a thrilling 2-1 victory by the Solomon Islands in their previous encounter.

In their first meeting, the Solomon Islands pulled off a remarkable comeback after trailing 1-0 at halftime. Anthony Didulica’s early strike for Australia seemed to set the tone, but the home side had other plans. With the backing of a passionate local crowd, the Solomon Islands came roaring back in the second half.

The turning point came when Paul Francis delivered a precise corner kick that sailed beyond the far post, perfectly meeting the run of Abraham Morgan. Morgan’s first-time finish leveled the score at 1-1, igniting the home fans and shifting the momentum.

The Solomon Islands wasted no time capitalizing on their newfound energy. Paul Francis, who had just provided the equalizer, turned from creator to finisher. Jimson Abana muscled past Zayd Kassaby to latch onto a clever flick-on from James Laena, before centering the ball for Francis, who tapped it into an empty net. The goal sent the stadium into rapturous celebration and sealed a historic victory for the Solomon Islands.

Australian coach Brad Maloney acknowledged the unique challenge his side faced, noting the impact of the vibrant atmosphere. “The crowd and the atmosphere were fantastic, and it’s something that our players aren’t really accustomed to,” Maloney said. “That experience will benefit the players moving forward. Once we go into the bigger tournaments in AFC, they will have that experience behind them.”

As both teams prepare for their final clash, the Solomon Islands will be riding high on their momentum, eager to secure another victory in front of their home fans. Meanwhile, Australia will be looking to bounce back and end their Pacific Tour on a high note.

With the stakes high and both sides determined to prove themselves, Sunday’s match promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has already been an exciting series. Football fans in Honiara and beyond will be eagerly watching to see if the Solomon Islands can replicate their historic feat or if Australia will rise to the challenge and turn the tables.