Sport: Solomons lack punch as PNG make history

11:19 am on 9 June 2016

The Solomon Islands are ruing the fact they couldnt get the ball in the back of the net after Papua New Guinea defeated them 2-1 in an historic OFC Nations Cup football victory.

PNG will meet New Zealand in the final after overcoming the Solomons in their semi-final in Port Moresby last night.

It will be PNG's first final in 43 years while New Zealand come in having won the tournament four times.

PNG started well against the Solomons earning a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute with a Michael Foster goal.

However it wasn't long before the Solomons got back in the match courtesy of a Judd Molea equaliser two minutes later.

PNG'S Nigel Dabingyaba scores the winning goal vs Solomon Islands. 2016 OFC Nations Cup semi.

PNG'S Nigel Dabingyaba scores the winning goal vs Solomon Islands. Photo: OFC via Phototek

The game hung in the balance until an 82nd minute winner from Nigel Dabingyaba.

The Solomons coach Moses Toata said his side should have capitalised on its chances better.

"We could of scored a couple of goals early but then we didn't. Actually they capitalised on our weaknesses on defending the set pieces and that's how the winning goal came."

Toata said the focus will now shift to the next round of world cup qualifying which takes place in March 2017.

"I think that is the more important stuff ahead of us that can keep the boys together," he said.

"We came here, we tried our best. We were given a chance to go into the final and we let it go."