Solomon Islands Topple Tonga To Advance To Women's Nations Cup Semi-Finals
They settled quickly into the game, opening the scoring in the eighth minute through Madeleine Arukau. Lorina Solosaia unselfishly laid it off to an unmarked Arukau in the penalty area, and the Solomon Islands number eight made no mistake slotting it home.
Pegi doubled her side's lead in the 29th minute, capping off a well-constructed move from the Solomons. A gorgeous short pass from Arukau to Solosaia took out two Tongan defenders, and Solosaia then laid off to her captain to score her second of the tournament and her country's second of the game.
The Solosaia-Arukau-Pegi combination produced the Solomons' third goal just before half time. This time it was Solosaia releasing Arukau to create the opportunity for her captain, Pegi, who had the time to pick her spot and put the Solomons out of sight.
Despite being down, Tonga came out in the second half determined to show they weren't done yet, earning an early corner and soon after a free kick in a dangerous position. However, they were unable to capitalise on either opportunity.
Tonga held out until the 77th minute, but the Solomon Islands' attacking quality eventually broke through again, with the fourth goal sealing their dominance.
Almah Gogoni started the move, driving a quick counterattack down the right wing before slipping the ball to Arukau. Arukau danced around her markers to shoot, only for her shot to take a deflection, and second half substitute Jemina David was on hand to finish.
Arukau got her name on the scoresheet again eight mnutes later , latching onto a long ball over the top of the Tongan defence, taking a touch and coolly slotting past goalkeeper Keira Wolfgramm to seal a dominant victory for the Solomons.
HT: 3-0
Solomon Islands: 5 (Madeleine ARUKAU 8', 85'; Ileen PEGI 29', 41'; Jemina DAVID 77')
Tonga: 0
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