The Titikaveka and Puaikura premier men are through to the semifinals of the CIFA knockout cup, but their battles were hard fought.
Titikaveka defeated a dominant Avatiu side 1-0 on Friday to claim their spot in the semifinals.
The first half saw an even contest for possession and territory and an even amount of shots at goal. Both sides tried their luck but it was Titikaveka who found the net through a quick counter attack started by Akiona Tairi and finished off by Parmesh Naidu.
In the second half Avatiu came out strong, dominating possession and attacking Titikaveka’s goal constantly, they were unable to finish and match ended a 1-0 win for Titikaveka.
On Saturday, Puaikura secured the last semifinal spot after taking down an impressive Matavera-Ngatangiia premier men’s team.
Puaikura struck the net in the 30’ minute through a header by Pekay Edwards to open the score books and claim their first goal. Matavera fought back hard before the half time whistle blew, aiming to level the scores but their efforts didn’t reward them.
Puaikura scored their second goal from a long shot attempt from the kick-off of the second half. The goal was scored by Pekay Edwards.
Matavera fought valiantly in the second half, dominating possession and keeping Puaikura in their half. They had many chances to score arise but the ball didn’t find the net and the match ended a 2-0 win in favour of Puaikura.
In the senior women’s division, Avatiu and Puaikura move through to the semi-finals after taking down their respective opponents Matavera-Ngatangiia and Nikao Sokattak, the Avatiu and Nikao Sokattak U14 boys move through as well after their wins over Matavera-Ngatangiia and Titikaveka respectively and the Tupapa Maraerenga and Matavera-Ngatangiia U14 girls move forward following their win wins over Titikaveka and Nikao Sokattak.
FULL RESULTS FROM THE FIRST ELIMINATION ROUND:
Under 7 Mix
Puaikura FC 1-1 (Penalty shoot-out: 4-3) Titikaveka FC
Avatiu FC 1-1 (Penalty shoot-out: 7-6) Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Under 9 Mix
Puaikura FC 6-1 Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 1-0 Titikaveka FC
Under 11 Mix
Puaikura FC 0-0 (Penalty Shoot-out: 3-4) Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Nikao Sokattak FC 1-0 Tupapa Maraerenga FC
U14 Girls
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 1-0 Titikaveka FC
Matavera-Ngatangiia FC 1-0 Nikao Sokattak FC
U14 Boys
Avatiu FC 8-0 Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Titikaveka FC 0-1 Nikao Sokattak FC
Under 17 Men
Puaikura FC 8-0 Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Nikao Sokattak FC 3-2 Avatiu FC
Senior women
Avatiu FC 1-0 Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Puaikura FC 1-0 Nikao Sokattak
Premier men
Titikaveka FC 1-0 Avatiu FC
Puaikura FC 2-0 Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
