Photo Caption: Ashley Kwaimasia in action against Tonga. Credit: OFC Media via Tonga FA
The Solomon Islands U16 Boys registered their second win and are certain of a spot in Tahiti at the OFC Men’s Championship 2024 after a 9-0 dominating win over host side Tonga in Match Day 2 of the qualifying stage.
The Moses Toata-led men started on the front foot building early pressure. They were rewarded when star boy Ashley Kwaimasia was brought down in the penalty box, giving captain Kennedy Sihiu a chance to put up an advantage but his shot hit the crossbar.
Sihiu quickly made amends for his missed penalty by curling a shot from just inside the 18-yard box into the back of the net, giving his team a 1-0 lead after just six minutes of play.
Early substitute Junior Sese came on for Jimmy Loben and made an immediate impact down the right flank. With his first touch of the ball, Sese produced a delightful through ball for his captain, who doubled Solomon Islands’ lead after 26 minutes.
Speed, skill, and control in the Solomon Islands’ possession caused the Tongan defense to scramble on occasions – after a clearance attempt from the host, the ball fell perfectly to Kwaimasia whose left-footed shot added the third goal before half-time.
Restarting the second spell, again the Solomon Islands found their early rhythm attacking – a counterattack field found Kwaimasia to put a ball on a plate of Sese down the right who unleashed a powerful strike for the fourth goal.
Tonga, still in the game had several attempts also on target – a long-range effort from Tevita Falepapalangi caught Solomon Islands goalkeeper Alick Hale completely off guard, as the Tongan midfielder’s shot floated onto the crossbar.
Yet again, the Solomon Islands responded through Kwaimasia who beat the final defender with a deft turn before chipping the goalkeeper for the fifth goal – four minutes later he completed his hat trick after a one-on-one situation beating the goalkeeper.
Skillful left flanker, Patty Kenimoi then added the seventh goal, before Calvin Wane smashed home the eighth before Kwaimasia who is now the top scorer put the game to bed.
The Solomon Islands remain unbeaten and now only need a single point in their final clash against American Samoa on Friday 19th April at 8:00 am (Local Time), to secure their ticket to the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tahiti in July.
-SIFF Media
