SPG Soccer: Solomon Islands thrash hapless American Samoa 12-1

Solomon Islands romped home to victory in their opening match at the XIII South Pacific Games - Samoa 2007 smacking twelve goals past the hapless American Samoa at J.S.Blatter Playing Field in Apia yesterday.

Solomon Islands Benjamin Totori, Commins Menapi and Stanley Waita went on a goal-scoring frenzy against an American Samoa team caught in the headlights of an oncoming football juggernaut.

American Samoa coach David Brand was disappointed "that the result got to double figures" but insisted that scoring a goal through a penalty from Ramin Ott was a platform from which to build future improvement.

"Naturally we're disappointed to lose but at least it wasn't 31-0," Brand said," we've scored a goal which is a positive and I'm sure we will build from there."

Solomon Islands coach Airton Andrioli said the result didn't matter but looked to the players to build confidence ahead of their next match against Tonga tomorrow.

"I dislike these types of games because people always ask 'How many goals will you score' and there is a tendancy for the players to lose focus because the opposition is not so good," Andrioli said.

When asked if he thought he possessed a team capable of repeating the performance of Allan Gillet's side of 2004, Andrioli was typically honest.

"I think so, yes. In the Solomon Islands people are very passionate about football and their expectations are high. They want us to win the gold medal, they expect it, so if I said I expected anything any different I would be lying to you," Andrioli said.

In another match Fiji beat Tuvalu 16-0, New Caledonia trash Tahiti 1-0 and Vanuatu beat the host 4-0.

Source: OFC