Tahiti United produced the upset of the night in the OFC Pro League, turning around a first-half deficit to rout Solomon Kings FC 5-1 in Suva last night. The visitors recovered from an early setback and dominated the second half as Germain Haewegene’s hat-trick and strikes from Tevita Waranaivalu and Joseph Athale secured a comprehensive victory.
Solomon Kings captain Jez Lofthouse gave the home side the lead in the 27th minute, finishing off a move that looked set to frustrate Tahiti United. Tahiti, however, answered just before half-time when Tevita Waranaivalu curled a powerful effort from outside the box to level the scores, shifting momentum ahead of the break.
Tahiti raised the tempo after the interval, taking control of possession and probing the Solomon Kings defence. Haewegene opened his account in the second half with a well-taken goal, then doubled his tally shortly afterwards to put Tahiti in front. Joseph Athale added a fourth as Tahiti increasingly exploited space on the counter and in build-up play, and Haewegene completed his hat-trick late on to cap the 5-1 scoreline.
The result is a significant blow for fourth-placed Solomon Kings, who had appeared in control after the first goal but were unable to contain Tahiti’s midfield and forward rotation in the second half. For Tahiti United, the win underlines their threat in the competition when they control possession and press with intent.
In the night’s other fixture, South Island edged Vanuatu United 2-1 in a dramatic finish. Vanuatu had the better of the early possession and created the clearer chances in the first half, with league top-scorer Alex Saniel kept off the scoresheet. After a goalless opening 45, Azaraiah Soromon put Vanuatu ahead six minutes into the second half. South Island, however, rallied late: Ry McLeod and Ryan Feutz both struck during eight minutes of stoppage time to turn the match on its head and hand South Island a dramatic victory.
Last night’s results deliver two notable developments in the OFC Pro League: Tahiti United’s emphatic statement in Suva and South Island’s stoppage-time turnaround in their contest with Vanuatu United. Both outcomes are likely to reverberate in the table as the competition progresses.
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