Matavera field was a football fans attraction on Saturday, during the Premier Mens matchup between Puaikura FC and Titikaveka FC. When a shootout had supporters stationed to see who was going to progress to the semi-finals.
Being only 3 minutes into the game, Puaikura’s Dwyane Tiputoa took his chance when booted a long ball from the left side of the field, the nippy forward was too quick for the soldiers in blue to get a grip on as he led a ball right to the back of the net. It took a while before Titikaveka kicked into gear, finding it hard to keep tabs on the ball while in Puaikura’s territory, forwards Nuku Mokoroa and Joseph Tuaputa had it difficult when attempting to pass Puaikura’s Jarves Aperau and Paul Luiz Van-Ejik. Clearing the ball and gaining possession Puaikura’s Dwayne Tiputoa took his chance at another goal, but a nudge from Titikaveka’s defenders gave Puaikura a penalty in the box where they marked their second goal.
With only a few minutes to go in the game and the ball in Titikaveka’s favour, Titikaveka’s Akiona Tairi wasted no time when gaining a foot ahead of Puaikura’s defenders lofting in a quick ball to the corner of the goal. A determined blue army took no risks when getting given a free kick just outside the box, Titikaveka’s John Karika who distributed a beautiful ball swiftly into the net, evening out the playing fields and ending the match with a shoot-out. Puaikura took out the shoot out winning 4-3, totaling it to 6-5 to Puaikura.
Matavera took down Avatiu in their match at Titikaveka with their final score being 4-2.
Matavera womens team, gave Titikaveka a hard game to win with a 2-0 score in Matavera’s favour. With young talent Kimiora Uini scoring their first goal in the first half and experienced baller Maeva Carr ending their match at 2-0 in the second half of the game.
Avatiu womens went on to win 1-0 in their match against Nikao Sokattak.
Tupapa U18 Men won their match 3 nil against Titikaveka, while at Titikaveka Avatiu beat Matavera 4-2.
The U15 Boys match between Tupapa Maraerenga and Titikaveka ended at 2 nil to Tupapa, and then match between Puaikura and Matavera finished at 3-0 to Matavera. While the U15 Girls match Nikao Sokattak vs Tupapa Maraerenga finished off at 1-0 to Tupapa and Matavera took the win against Titikaveka 0-2.
