Solomon Islands edge wins over Papua New Guinea to reach OFC play-off The Solomons will feature in their first play-off final for 12 years The results end the Russia 2018 campaigns for both PNG and Tahiti Two tense victories over Papua New Guinea have lifted Solomon Islands into the Oceanian play-off final for the first time in 12 years.
After breakthrough results on the road to Germany 2006, the Bonitos are now set for the second appearance in the continental play-off.
FULL TIME | Solomon Islands are through to the #Stage3 #WCQ final after beating PNG 2-1 in Port Moresby pic.twitter.com/Ok7dgOtEE8 — OFC Oceania Football (@OFCfootball) June 13, 2017 The contest Four points from two matches was the equation faced by PNG and the Solomons ahead of the final outings.
PNG rallied for a brave comeback as captain Michael Foster and Patrick Aisa both netted, however that merely set the stage for Solomons star forward Micah Lea’Alafa to score a much-heralded winner.
PNG needed to win the return by a large margin to progress and they opened brightly with a goal from prolific striker Raymond Gunemba.
However, the mood was dampened almost immediately as defender Felix Komolong was dismissed for handball, and Henry Fa’Arodo equalised from the resultant penalty.
Despite the result, the campaign has seen PNG enjoy unprecedented success, highlighted by a spot in last year’s OFC Nations Cup final.
Meanwhile in Group A, Fiji and New Caledonia met home and away where only pride was on the line, with New Zealand having already shored up top spot.
But it was a goal from Krishna that ensured the two teams played out a 2-2 draw in Fiji after New Caledonia blew a two-goal advantage.
Fa’Arodo has previously stated this will be his final World Cup campaign, and ironically his equaliser in Port Moresby was crucial in keeping Solo’s campaign alive.