Men’s Knockout Cup final

ends in shootout

The Nikao Sokattak premier men’s soccer side snatched the knockout finals win at the weekend against Tupapa in a penalty shootout after the game ended in a 2-all draw.

Nikao won the penalty shoot out 4 goals to 3 although it was Tupapa who dominated proceedings in the match at the CIFA complex grounds.

In the fifth minute Campbell Best put Tupapa in the lead with a blistering strike from a well timed pass from team mate Roger Manuel.

Both teams were evenly matched in most facets of play but found it difficult to break the defence which resulted in a 1-0 score in favour of Tupapa at the half time break.

Best again scored another goal early in the second half via a clever header which caught Nikao goal keeper Romeo Keu off guard to extend Tupapa’s lead to two goals to nil.

In the 51st minute Nikao Sokattak coach Alex Napa brought on substitute and danger man Tuka Tisam.

Within a minute of coming on the field an infringement on Tisam within the 18-yard box saw the referee award Sokattak a penalty which was converted by Dawn Tare.

As fatigue set in the game became increasingly challenging for both sides who fought hard to score and defend goals.

Tupapa players knew there was little time left on the clock and all they had to do was defend hard, however with a minute of play remaining Tupapa left Sokattak brothers Tuka and Anonga Tisam unmarked.

Tuka Tisam dribbled the ball for 30 metres before off loading to older brother Anonga to smash in the equalizer to tie up the game 2-all.

In the penalty shootout Nikao scored 4 of their shots but Tupapa only managed three.

Nikao players and supporters celebrated and couldn’t believe they had won the match although their team was 2 goals down for most of the second half of the game.

In the senior women’s division Tupapa easily defeated Arorangi four goals to one to cap off an excellent season by winning both the Round Cup and the Knockout Cup for 2010.

In the under 17 boy’s division Matavera made a come-back from a 1-2 score at the half time break to defeating Tupapa 4 goals to 2.

This was achieved by some good tactical strategies from coach Raymond Newnham.

Matavera also did the double by winning the Round Cup and the Knockout Cup for 2010.

The under 15 girls division was won by Tupapa Maraerenga over Arorangi with the score line of 2-0, while Nikao Sokattak beat Avatiu in the under 14 boy’s division by 2 goals to 1.

The Cook Islands Football Association would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and New Year.