The Solomon Islands soccer team went down to a more determined Vanuatu side 2 - 0 in the Bronze Medal match.
The Solomon Islands started strong with its deadly combination up front but Vanuatu, mindful of its earlier loss to the Solomon Islands, fought back with some very good shots on goal. The game was evenly contested throughout the first half.However, the Vanuatu team struck three minutes into injury time at the end of the first half through Seule Soromon. Soromon was left unmarked by loose defending in the penalty area and he buried a fine shot past the keeper.
The second half saw both teams digging deep for goals. The pace and intensity being played by the two passionate soccer countries resulted in at least six yellow cards. Bebeu copped a yellow card for a rough play which saw him play a very cautious game.
Five minutes into the second half, Francois Sakama gave Vanuatu a 2-0 lead with a volley into the top right corner from the edge of the area sinking any hopes for a bronze for the Solomon Islands. Vanuatu played a defensive game from then on to walk away with the bronze.
The Solomon Islands, placed fourth in the South Pacific games, will now miss the Oceania Nations Cup which begins in mid-October and concludes in September 2008.
The winner of that event will take on the fifth-placed nation from future Asian Confederation qualifiers for the right to play in the World Cup in Germany in 2010.