Matavera field was a football fans attraction on Saturday, during the premier men’s matchup between Puaikura FC and Titikaveka FC. The match was decided in an exciting penalty shootout.

Being only three minutes into the game, Puaikura’s Dwyane Tiputoa took his chance when he booted a long ball from the left side of the field to put his side up by 1-0.

It took a while before Titikaveka kicked into gear, finding it hard to keep tabs on the ball while in Puaikura’s territory, forwards Nuku Mokoroa and Joseph Tuaputa had it difficult when attempting to go past Puaikura’s Jarves Aperau and Paul Luiz Van-Ejik.

Clearing the ball and gaining possession Puaikura’s Dwayne Tiputoa took his chance at another goal, but a nudge from Titikaveka’s defenders handed Puaikura a penalty in the box. Puaikura scored their second goal from that spot kick.

With only a few minutes to go in the game and the ball in Titikaveka’s favour, Titikaveka’s Akiona Tairi wasted no time when gaining a foot ahead of Puaikura’s defenders lofting in a quick ball to pull one back 1-2.

Titikaveka increased the intensity and managed a chance for equaliser through a free kick just outside the box. Titikaveka’s John Karika levelled the match 2-all with a stupendous strike that landed swiftly into the net.

The match then went into the dreaded penalty shootout. Puaikura took out the shoot out winning 4-3, winning the match 6-5.

Matavera took down Avatiu in their match at Titikaveka with their final score being 4-2.

Matavera women’s team gave Titikaveka a hard game, with a 2-0 score in Matavera’s favour.

Young talent Kimiora Uini scored their first goal in the first half followed by experienced Maeva Carr ending their match at 2-0 in the second half of the game.

Avatiu women went on to win 1-0 in their match against Nikao Sokattak.

Tupapa U18 Men won their match against Titikaveka 3-0, while at Titikaveka, Avatiu beat Matavera 4-2.

The U15 boys match between Tupapa Maraerenga and Titikaveka ended at 2-0 to Tupapa, and the match between Puaikura and Matavera finished at 3-0 to Matavera. In the U15 girls match Nikao Sokattak went down to Tupapa Maraerenga 1-0 while Matavera defeated Titikaveka 2-0.

• CIFA Media

Results

U8 Mix: Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC: 3-1, Titikaveka FC vs Puaikura FC: 2-1; U10 Mix: Nikao Sokattak FC vs Titikaveka FC: 2-1, Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC: 0-3; U12 Mix: Titikaveka FC vs Matavera FC: 5-6, Puaikura FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 1-0; U15 Boys: Titikaveka FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 0-2, Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC: 0-3; U15 Girls: Titikaveka FC vs Matavera FC: 0-2, Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 0-1; U18 Men: Titikaveka FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 0-3, Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC: 4-2;  Senior Women: Matavera FC vs Titikaveka FC: 2-1 Nikao Sokattak FC vs Avatiu FC: 0-1; Premier Men:

Puaikura FC vs Titikaveka FC: 6-5, Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC: 2-4.