Solomon Islands show class in friendly win over Macau

An emphatic win over Macau has seen the Solomon Islands kick off the international window in style.

(Macau – Solomon Islands 1-4)

In a cagey first half, the Pacific team were the better side and took the lead five minutes from half time from a bizarre corner that went straight into the back of the net. In the second half, one quick goal sent Macau reeling against the ropes and the Bonitos never looked back and added another two to take a comfortable win.

The match had been pushed back a day due to the weather but went ahead on Wednesday despite the still heavy rain and wind at the Estádio Campo Desportivo.

Neither team produced many chances in the first half, but the Solomon Islands had the ball the most and seemed the most comfortable in possession.

Five minutes before the break Judd Molea sent a corner into the box. The curl of the ball combined with the wind made the goalkeeper misjudge the trajectory of the ball and he could do little else but push the ball into the net with his fist. The goal was credited to Molea as it would have gone in regardless of the helping hand.

Macau produced a few good chances after the goal, but squandered them all.

HALF TIME! It is a deserved lead for the Solomon Islands. They’ve had the most of the ball and although neither team created very much, they’ve seemed the better side. Macau came close a few times after the Solomon goal, but it is 0-1 at the break!

— Football in Oceania (@Ftbl_Oceania) August 29, 2018

After the break, it didn’t take long for the Solomon Islands to add another to the scoresheet. Only two minutes were played when they broke through the Macau defence and Marist’s Atkin Kaua got the honour of scoring for his national team.

That opened the floodgates and Alwin Hou added a third with a lovely finish from the edge of the area just four minutes later, before veteran and captain Benjamin Totori scored the Solomon Islands fourth and final goal on the hour mark.

The game quieted down after that and with thirteen minutes remaining Lam Ka Seng gave the drenched Macau fans something to cheer for on a miserable evening when he rounded the Solomon’s substitute keeper, who had come on only minutes before, and scored their consolation goal.

A comfortable win for the Solomon Islands in the end and a great start to the international window. Their next match is against Fiji on Wednesday next week.

FULL TIME! The Solomon Islands take a very strong and deserved win over Macau. Complete controll from the beginning of the second half and most of the first. It ends 1-4!

— Football in Oceania (@Ftbl_Oceania) August 29, 2018