Anticipation and thrills filled the CIFA complex last week as teams battled it out for a spot in the Rarotonga Football 2020 Season Finale. On Thursday we saw Tupapa Maraerenga’s Senior Women’s team dominate the Avatiu Senior Women’s team playing for their well earned spot in the final. Then again on Friday the Nikao Sokattak Premier Men’s team took on Puaikura FC in what was a brilliant 90 mins of football from both sides. Coming out for the first shot of the game was Puaikura’s Dwayne Tiputoa which gave Puaikura the lead only 5 mins into the first half. Puaikura was looking to dominate that half before Nikao Sokattak’s Maiva Mateariki returned the favor to even the score at 1 all. Just before the first half ended Nikao went on to secure another goal giving them the lead which was maintained until the end of the first half. As the second half was underway, Dwayne Tiputoa came back to put Puaikura back in the running by evening the scores at 2 all with another spectacular shot in goal. Both teams were high on the attack playing at full speed eager to best the other. But in the end there could only be one victor, and Nikao managed to get in one last shot to give them the lead of 3 goals to Puaikura’s 2 before the final whistle blew.
Saturday’s match up was yet another intense battle, but this time for Puaikura’s Senior Women’s team. What seemed like a game set and match from the starting of the game with Puaikura scoring in the first minute from young superstar Victoria Fatiaki, quickly turned around. Puaikura maintained their slim lead of 1 nil nearly the whole first half. But Nikao did not come this far to be taken down so easily. Nikao Sokattak’s young superstar Nicole Tiaore came flying through Puaikura’s defense, not once but twice to find the back of the net before the end of the first 40 mins. Nikao kept their defenses up determined to ensure that they are the victors of the match, but Puaikura had not given up hopes just yet as they went on to even the scores before the end of the match. It seemed like the game would head into a penalty shoot out as both teams were struggling to get past the other’s defenses. Momentum however favored Puaikura’s side as they went on to score again giving them the leaf of 3 goals to 2 and brining to an end the season for the Nikao Sokattak Senior Women’s.
Following the women’s game Tupapa Maraerenga Premier Men’s and Titikaveka Premier Men’s were set to take the field. Starting off the match both teams were neck and neck, each having equal opportunities at goal but had yet to reach the back of the net. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as they were both unsure of who was going to get the first point in, before Tupapa’s Geosah George managed to find his way past the defense and gave Tupapa the lead in the first half. Uncertainty was still lingering though as Tupapa’s lead was only slim. Just when It looked like it was going to be Tupapa’s win for the first half. Titikaveka’s Rua Oti came in to equalize the scores bringing the scores to 1 all at the end of the first 45 mins. Both teams came back ready to defeat the other as the second half was underway, with attempts at goal’s for both sides. Tupapa however was the first to find a kink in their opponents defense as Peni Kitiona scored an epic goal bringing Tupapa’s score to 2 and Titikaveka’s 1. The goal was scored very early in the second half and the chance of Titikaveka coming back to earn their draw was very likely. Titikaveka tried and tried, fighting till the very end but could not bring the scores to 2 all and the victory went to Tupapa Maraerenga who will now be heading into next week’s finals.
Semi Final Results
Premier Men
Tupapa Maraerenga FC VS. Titikaveka FC Premier Men:2 – 1
Nikao Sokattak FC VS. Puaikura FCPremier Men: 3 – 2
Senior Women
Puaikura FC VS Nikao Sokattak FC Senior Women: 3 – 2
Tupapa Maraerenga FC VS. Avatiu FCSenior Women: 2 – 1
Under 17 Men
Tupapa Maraerenga FC VS. Titikaveka FC U17 Men: 4 – 3
Nikao Sokattak FC VS. Matavera FCU17 Men: 3 – 1
Under 15 Girls
Puaikura FC VS. Tupapa Maraerenga FC U15 Girls:3 – 0
Matavera FC VS. Avatiu FCU15 Girls: 1 – 3
Under 14 Boys
Avatiu FC VS. Nikao Sokattak FC U14 Boys: 2 – 0
Puaikura FC VS. Tupapa MaraerengaFC U14 Boys: 0 – 1
Under 12 Mixed
Avatiu FC VS. Nikao Sokattak FC U12:2 – 1
Matavera FC VS. Titikaveka FCU12: 0 – 1
Under 9’s Mixed
Avatiu FC VS. Titikaveka FC U9:3 – 1
Tupapa Maraerenga FC VS. Nikao Sokattak FC U9: 4 – 3
Under 7’s Mixed
Tupapa Maraerenga FC VS Titikaveka FC U7: 1 – 0
Avatiu FC VS. Nikao Sokattak FCU7: 4 – 1 (PSO)
