Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have their eyes set on the final at the FIFA World Cup 2022 Oceania qualifiers as the Melanesian Wantoks go head-to-head for the 16th time on the Oceania football landscape in Doha for the first semi-final at the Grand Hamed Stadium tomorrow 1:00 am local time.
On paper, both teams have contrasting sides as Solomon Islands have the youngest team while Papua New Guinea still banks on its trusted veterans who went close on home soil in 2016 beating Solomon Islands in the semi-final.
Solomon Islands have the upper hand in the head-to-head record winning 10, drawn 3 and only lost two times against their neighbours most recently winning home and away in the previous World Cup qualifiers in 2017.
Both teams displayed good football in their respective group matches as Solomon Islands overcome a resolute Cook Islands in the opening match before convincingly beating Francophone rivals Tahiti to earn the top spot in Group A despite the disruption of the Covid-19 outbreak in the Vanuatu and Cook Islands camps.
Papua New Guinea begin their campaign with a close defeat to favourites New Zealand and grabbed six points from Melanesian rivals New Caledonia and Fiji to finish second in Group B.
Spanish Solomon Islands coach Felipe Vega-Arango was the interim coach for Solomon Islands in 2017 and begin his previous stint with two wins against Papua New Guinea home and away in stage 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia Oceania qualifiers.
The Spaniard said Papua New Guinea will play a similar style to Solomon Islands and it will be a fierce battle for the grand final spot.
“Against Papua New Guinea it won’t be easy PNG is always going to compete,” he said.
“They play a 4-2-3-1 system defensively is pretty much the same system that we are playing when we play in defence.
“We need to compete, we need to work hard, we need to be patient, we need to keep the ball in the ground and be careful with the counter-attacks because they have Semmy there who used to play in the TSL that has a good shot and is a good player.”
The Solomon Islands tactician added that the team is slowly adapting to how he wants them to play and believe they can get a positive result if they put on another high-intensity performance displayed against Tahiti.
“If we have physical intensity as we had against Tahiti I think it will be difficult for them but semi-finals are never easy it’s just one game.”
Meanwhile, Raphael Lea’i is just a goal behind New Zealand Starman Chris Wood heading into the semi-finals after his hat-trick against Tahiti.
The 19-year-old said he is eager to get on the score sheet to continue his fine form in front of goal to help Solomon Islands reach the final.
Felipe is expected to field the same starting line-up since there is no injury concern in the camp.
The lads are in high spirit heading into the clash against our Melanesian wantoks.
The match will kick-off on Monday 28th March 2022 morning at 1:00 am.
Head-to-Head
Solomon Islands won 10, drawn 3, and lost 2
Stream link https://www.oceaniafootball.com/livestream-semi-1-solomon-islands-vs-papua-new-guinea/
SOURCE: SIFF MEDIA
