MSG Prime Minister's Cup 2024 - Solomon Islands

Honiara witnessed a spectacular closing ceremony on Saturday, as the 3rd Edition of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup 2024 concluded.

The two-week football extravaganza, celebrated as a unifying event for Melanesian nations, concluded in high spirits, marked with an eventful display.

PNG reclaimed the title becoming the overall winner with 10 points in the single-round robin format tournament – edging Vanuatu 2️⃣🆚1️⃣ in the final Match Day.

Fiji recovered from a slow start to the competition to secure a silver medal at the podium following a hard-fought 3️⃣🆚1️⃣ thriller win over former Champions the Solomon Islands National team.

Vanuatu finished 4th with 3️⃣ points and the Solomon Islands Development team 5th with 0️⃣ points.

The ceremony was presided over by the host nation’s Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, who officially declared the competition closed.

In his address, Prime Minister Manele highlighted the tournament's success in fostering regional solidarity through sport.

"This tournament has been a celebration of our shared Melanesian identity and passion for football," said Prime Minister Manele.

"We’ve witnessed extraordinary talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship on the field, and I’m proud that Honiara played host to such a remarkable event."

The competition spanned five action-packed match days, featuring spirited performances from Melanesian teams.

From exhilarating goals to the finest display of football in the region.

PM Manele handed over the hosting baton (traditional drum) to Papua New Guinea (PNG), which will host the 4th Edition of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Port Moresby next year.

𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒;

🏆PNG 🇵🇬 1️⃣0️⃣points
🥈FIJI 🇫🇯 8️⃣points
🥉SOLOMON ISLANDS 🇸🇧6️⃣points
🏅VANUATU 🇻🇺4️⃣points
🎖SOLOMON ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT TEAM 🇸🇧 (FAIREST TEAM)0️⃣points

𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒

GOLDEN GLOVE - Ronald Warisan 🇵🇬
GOLDEN BOOT - Rovu Boyers 🇸🇧
GOLDEN BALL - Alwin Komolong 🇵🇬

MSG Secretariat

Fiji secured the runners-up spot in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup with a convincing win over Solomon Islands

Fiji up and running over the host in the opening half

WATCH| 📺 https://www.youtube.com/live/TlpYJV7Lc4U

MATCH DAY 5|

WATCH 📺 Solomon Islands 🇸🇧🆚🇫🇯 Fiji

LINK 👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/TlpYJV7Lc4U

PNG held on despite Vanuatu's last-minute surge to reclaim the MSG title

Positive start for PNG to lead at half-time over Vanuatu

WATCH 📺 https://www.youtube.com/live/sq-OD1c2ujU

MATCH DAY 5|

WATCH 📺 Vanuatu 🇻🇺 🆚️ Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

Vanuatu v Papua New Guinea

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐮 🙏🇸🇧🇫🇯🇵🇬🇻🇺⚽️

MSG Secretariat

Vanuatu Football Federation

📷Highlight in pictures. Check out the actions between Fiji and the Solomon Islands Development team...

Fiji Football Association

Solomon Islands Football Federation

📷Full of actions in the day's opening match between Solomon Islands and PNG. Check out the few clicks...

PNG Football Association

Solomon Islands Football Federation

𝐏𝐍𝐆 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲

The MSG Prime Minister’s Cup 2024 title decider is down to the final Match Day.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji claimed decisive victories on Match Day 5, keeping the title race alive heading into the final day of competition this Saturday.

PNG edged past the Solomon Islands national team in a dramatic 3-2 encounter. Fiji delivered a dominant second-half display to secure a convincing 3-0 win over the Solomon Islands Development team.

The day’s opener provided end-to-end action in wet conditions at the National Stadium.

The Kapuls coming in to avenge their 1-2 loss to the Solomon Islands late last month in Port Moresby – and the host nation needed at least a draw to stay in contention to defend their title, but the Kapuls had other plans.

The Solomon Islands struck first through Rovu Boyers, who capitalized on a rebounded effort from Bobby Leslie. A well-crafted build-up saw Leon Kofana’s diving cross find Leslie, whose initial shot rebounded off the post into Boyers’ path. The striker made no mistake, igniting celebrations among the home crowd.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead when Alvin Hou’s darting run down the left flank set up Leslie for a golden chance, but his effort went agonizingly wide.

PNG responded with equal intensity, and their persistence paid off when captain Alwin Komolong rose highest to head home from a corner, leveling the score at 1-1 before halftime.

The second half intensified as both sides pushed forward relentlessly.

Solomon Islands enjoyed more possession but struggled to break down a resolute PNG defense. Controversy struck when PNG’s Raymond Gunemba appeared to score, only for the referee to disallow the goal due to a prior foul.

PNG eventually broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Solomon Rani weaved past multiple defenders with a brilliant solo run before clinically finishing past Harold Nauania, giving PNG a 2-1 lead.

The hosts, undeterred, introduced fresh legs, including Don Keana and youngster Martin Koto, in a bid to shift the momentum.

Their efforts bore fruit when a foul on Koto just outside the penalty area provided a chance. Boyers’ initial free-kick struck the wall, but Keana was on hand to calmly slot home the rebound, leveling the match at 2-2.

However, PNG had the final say. A lapse in Solomon Islands’ defense in stoppage time gifted Komolong another opportunity from a free-kick, and the towering captain delivered with a precise far-post strike, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for PNG.

The second match of the day saw Fiji deliver a professional performance to dispatch the Solomon Islands Development team 3-0. After a cautious first half ended goalless, Fiji’s Setareki Hughes broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick early in the second half.

The Bula Boys then capitalized on a swift counter-attack, with Pen*soni Tirau executing a delightful chip over the onrushing goalkeeper to double the advantage.

Substitute Nabil Begg rounded off the scoring, calmly finishing a well-orchestrated move to secure Fiji’s three points.

With PNG and Fiji both securing victories, the race for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title now heads into a final Match Day this Saturday.

PNG now leads with 7 points while the Solomon Islands on 6 and will take on Fiji who are now 5 points. Vanuatu on the other hand is on 4 points – who also has the last say should it go down to the wire when they play PNG.

Big second-half performance from Fiji to leave it convincingly over the Solomon Islands Development team