Ghupo answer critics on the pitch as Green Shield keep marching in S-League

Ghupo FC produced one of the main talking points of the S-League weekend in Solomon Islands, defeating Laugu United 3-2 in a dramatic contest and giving fresh substance to the defence mounted by their supporters after recent criticism of the club.

Wilfred Mani opened the scoring for Ghupo in the 24th minute before Steve Morris equalised for Laugu in first-half stoppage time. Nathanaiel Eddie restored Ghupo’s advantage shortly after the restart, but Joel Karani brought Laugu level again in the 62nd minute.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time, when Kevin Samia struck in the 96th minute to secure a 3-2 victory for Ghupo.

The result carries particular significance considering the discussion around the club in recent weeks. Ghupo’s difficult start and the wider questions surrounding the project led to considerable debate, including a strong reaction from supporters who argued that the team’s performances deserved more credit than the results suggested.

This time, Ghupo provided the strongest possible response: three points on the pitch.

The victory does not erase the wider questions surrounding the club or automatically transform its season, but it does add another important result to a campaign that is beginning to look more competitive than its opening weeks suggested.

Elsewhere, Green Shield continued their impressive form with a convincing 3-0 victory over Marist FC.

Bobby Kennedy Leslie gave Green Shield an early advantage in the fifth minute before Kiren Israel doubled the lead in the 69th. Colman Makasi completed the scoring in the 90th minute as Green Shield maintained their momentum near the top end of the competition.

Saturday’s action produced the most spectacular scoreline of the round as KOSSA defeated Southern United 5-4.

Southern United’s Spensor Vaevo scored a hat-trick, finding the net in the 13th, 55th and 63rd minutes, while an own goal from Besa Zopoa also contributed to their tally.

KOSSA, however, found five goals of their own. Lestra Lili scored an own goal in their favour before Bryan Feni, Felix Bello, Phillimon Talisa and Milton Taolo all found the net to secure another valuable victory.

The opening fixture of the round saw SOSA FC and Malaita Kingz share the points in a 2-2 draw.

Atkin Kaua gave Malaita Kingz the lead in the 14th minute, but Ronald Kivolyn struck twice, in the 35th and 40th minutes, to turn the match around before half-time. Ben Fox then scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for Malaita Kingz.

One scheduled fixture was absent from the weekend programme, with Honiara City against Central Coast FC postponed because of Central Coast’s participation in the OFC Champions League.

The postponement is an important factor when looking at the current S-League picture. Central Coast’s continental commitments mean they have played fewer domestic matches than several rivals, making the standings less straightforward than the points totals alone suggest.

For Green Shield, however, the task has been simple: keep winning while the opportunity is there.

For Ghupo, the weekend carried a different significance.

The club has been one of the most discussed sides in the league, both because of its results and because of the attention surrounding its project. Its supporters strongly defended the team when criticism arrived.

Against Laugu, Ghupo finally gave them the argument that matters most in football: a win.