Football group matches heat up, semi-final spots up for grabs

Football fans are in for a treat as the Sol2023 Pacific Games football competition resumes on Thursday at Lawson Tama Stadium and SIFF Academy, following a rest day on Wednesday.

The upcoming matches will determine which teams advance to the semi-finals and who will unfortunately drop out.

In pool A of the women’s competition, American Samoa face off against Cook Islands in the opening match at SIFF Academy at 4pm on Thursday with both teams still searching for their first taste of victory.

Then comes the highlight match between New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) at 7pm with the latter only needing a draw to secure their semi-final spot thanks to a massive goal difference of 12. For New Caledonia though, this is a must-win situation to advance further in the competition.

In the men’s competition at Lawson Tama, Thursday will kick off with Vanuatu taking on PNG at 12pm. This encounter will determine the leader of Pool B, with the victorious team securing a coveted spot in the semi-finals.

The excitement doesn’t end there however as hosts Solomon Islands will battle it out against a spirited American Samoa side at Lawson Tama at 3pm.

The hosts will not only be fighting for a draw, but a win to all but secure their place in the semi-finals.

By Carlos Aruafu, Pacific Games News Service