An intense week of semifinals saw heartbreaks all around with the likes of the Puaikura premier men falling to Nikao Sokattak in a well contested match, or Titikaveka’s 2-0 lead disappear in the last few minutes of the match against Tupapa Maraerenga.
Puaikura and Nikao Sokattak fought a hard battle on Friday evening. The match was certainly one to be watched and one that had the crowd on edge.
Nikao‘s chances outweighed those of Puaikura in the first half and their relentlessness rewarded them with a goal in the 45’ minute scored by Samuel Koiatu. The shot was a beautifully placed volley outside the box which caught the Puaikura goalkeeper off guard.
Puaikura came out a much stronger and hungrier side in the second half and had many chances at goal but an equalizer never came about.
Meanwhile on Saturday afternoon Titikaveka found themselves two goals up on Tupapa but the circumstances changed once Avi Enoka found the net from a Mii Joseph free-kick.
The intense match saw many shots at goal in the first half, however none found the net. The second half was much more energetic and intense and saw five goals find the net.
Titikaveka opened the score books in the 70’ minute when key striker Akiona Tahiri struck the net from inside the box after a stunning run upfield by the Titikaveka team.
Titikaveka found the net again a couple minutes later through Tairi to go 2-0 up with 18 minutes left. He scored from a rebound off the crossbar delivered by Mark Harris.
With time dwindling down Tupapa needed to score to get back in the game. A free-kick was given to the defending champions near the halfway. Mii Joseph stepped up to take the kick an delivered a perfectly placed ball to Avi Enoka who sat just outside the box. Enoka controlled the ball before blasting it past the keeper.
The scores were now at 2-1 and the intensity was felt by all, Tupapa needed one more however to equalize and stay in the match. Tupapa won another free-kick which lead to a corner. The corner was delivered into the box and both teams scrambled to get the ball in and clear the ball away respectively. As the ball made it’s way out a Tupapa player attempted one more shot at goal, but the referee’s whistle blew for a penalty in the box for a handball foul before it could find it’s way to the net. Tupapa’s Anthony Samuela equalized the scores off the penalty.
Play resumed and both teams had the opportunity to score but it was Tupapa who came out on top after Mii Joseph took the score to 3-2 in favour of Tupapa with three minutes remaining in the match. He scored from a corner delivered in by Lee Harmon jr.
In the senior women’s division Titikaveka and Tupapa Maraerenga will face off in the final after taking down their opponents 3-0 and 2-1 respectively. The Tupapa and Puaikura U14 boys go through to the final after defeating their opponents Nikao Sokattak and Avatiu, and the Matavera-Ngatangiia and Puaikura U14 girls will play for the CIFA U14 girls cup after their victories in the semifinals saw them move through to the finals.
FULL RESULTS FROM THE SEMIFINALS:
Under 7 Mix
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 0-0 (PSO: 2-4) Puaikura FC
Nikao Sokattak 1-1 (PSO: 2-4) FC Avatiu FC
Under 9 Mix
Avatiu FC 2-0 Puaikura FC
Nikao Sokattak FC 1-0 Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Under 11 Mix
Avatiu FC (PSO: 3-1) Matavera FC
Titikaveka FC 2-0 Nikao Sokattak FC
Under 14 Girls
Avatiu FC 1-1 (PSO: 1-3) Matavera FC
Puaikura FC 2-0 Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Under 14 Boys
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 1-1 (PSO: 4-3) Nikao FC
Puaikura FC 2-0 Avatiu FC
Under 17 Men
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 1-0 Nikao Sokattak FC
Puaikura FC 5-1 Avatiu FC
Senior Women
Titikaveka FC vs Puaikura FC
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 3-0 Avatiu FC
Premier Men
Nikao Sokattak FC 1-0 Puaikura FC
Tupapa Maraerenga FC 3-2 Titikaveka FC
