Solomon Kings edge Tahiti United 2-1 to boost semi-final playoff hopes in crucial Challengers Group clash
With the margin for error so small in the Challengers Group, both sides knew a slip up here could prove fatal to their hopes of securing a spot in the semi-final playoff.
Tahiti United had suffered a heavy defeat in their final regular season match, losing 8-1 to South Melbourne FC but started the brighter of the two teams, with Germain Haewegene and Tevita Waranaivalu looking dangerous from the outset.
The former forced a good early save from Phillip Mango in the Kings’ goal, before the two linked up well again, for Haewegene to drag a left-footed effort wide.
Mauri Heitaa had a claim for a penalty, when going down theatrically in the box, only for referee Calvin Berg to rightly brandish a yellow card for simulation.
Solomon Kings slowly grew into the contest, with the reliable duo of Jez Lofthouse and Sota Higashide to the fore. The Japanese playmaker forced a smart save from Jackson Gardner after a one-two with Lofthouse, before flashing a second attempt narrowly over a few minutes later.
Samuel Garcia made two changes to his side at the half-time interval, removing Manuarii Shan and Matéo Degrumelle, replacing the duo with Franck Papaura and Mathis Lacan.
It was Solomon Kings however who made the immediate impact in the second-half. Sota Higashide fed Lofthouse down the left-hand channel and his square pass was bundled in from close range by Rafa Le’ai – the forward’s first goal of the season.
The Kings looked to build on their breakthrough, but struggled to make territorial advantage count, with Gardner unthreatened in the Tahiti United goal.
That prolificacy looked to have come back to haunt them just after the hour mark however. Poor defending from Solomon Kings allowed Haewegene to drill in a low cross and when the ball broke to Joseph Athale, the New Caledonian international smashed home what he thought was the equaliser.
A VAR check however picked up an offside in the build up, with Franck Papaura getting the faintest of touches on the ball when ahead of the play.
The goal was subsequently chalked off, much to the frustration of Samuel Garcia and his players.
Tahiti United continued to push, determined to find the equaliser they felt they deserved, but were eventually undone on the counter-attack.
With much of the second period played in the Solomon Kings half, they were caught high up the pitch in the 83rd minute – Jez Lofthouse breaking clear, before checking back inside and firing past Gardner.
Almost immediately however, the two goal lead was halved. Tahiti United striking back straight from the kick off, with Bradley Ruiz firing into the top corner from inside the area to give his side hope.
It would prove to be nothing more than a consolation however, as Solomon Kings held firm, securing a win and picking up a vital three points in their quest for a semi-final playoff spot.
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