Football: Olywhites make fast start in PNG

Herald online

4 Jul, 2015 07:59 AM3 mins to read

Bill Tuiloma. Photo / Getty Images.

The Men's U-23s opened their Pacific Games campaign on Friday with a 2-0 win over the Solomon Islands in Papua New Guinea.

In their first Group B game at Bisini Field in Port Moresby, the New Zealand side made a good start to their Olympic qualifying bid as first half goals from Monty Patterson and Alex Rufer gave Anthony Hudson's team a 2-0 lead at the break.

Just before the half hour mark Patterson fired in off the Solomon Islands upright and Rufer doubled the lead five minutes before halftime, volleying home with his left foot out of the reach of Solomon Islands 'keeper Phillip Mango.

Earlier, Rufer had a goal bound effort cleared off the line in just the fourth minute while central defender Luke Adams headed narrowly wide from Patterson's free kick 19 minutes into the contest.

In the second half U-17 international Logan Rogerson came off the bench to make his first appearance for the Men's U-23s along with midfielder Moses Dyer and defender Kip Colvey.

Assistant coach Alex Armstrong said the team took the first period of the game to adjust to playing in the 35-degree heat but once they hit the front they didn't look back.

"It was a good result but I think we struggled in the first 20 minutes to cope with the conditions but once we got our noses in front we were comfortable," Armstrong said.

"We came in at halftime and made one or two changes in terms of the shape. Then when we went out in the second half we just killed off the game and kept the ball really well and played the game how it should be in that heat."

Armstrong said the entire team could be satisfied with their effort but reserved some special praise for Rufer and captain Louis Fenton.

"Alex Rufer was outstanding up front, led the line and linked up the play very well and obviously scored the goal. The defenders stood up to a lot of heavy challenges and Louis Fenton - who was captain for the day - was absolutely outstanding and never stopped all game."

Looking ahead to Sunday's match with Papua New Guinea - who fell 1-0 to New Caledonia in the late Group B game - Armstrong said Friday's experience will serve the group well.

"We probably won't change much. Having had our game and understanding how it's played here in the islands now a bit better, we'll have a few fresh legs in there and we'll be able to adapt a bit better."