slanders Won

[?]arefooted Solomon slanders Won soccer Fans' Hearts

Although the French terri ories and Fiji dominated Games occer, the barefoot Solomon slanders won the popularity )011. rHE Solomon Islanders never wear boots at home and refused to vear them in Fiji, even though team )fficials had spent £7O of their meagre unds on boots for them soon after irriving in Fiji.

The Solomon Islanders practised n them for a time, and then innounced they were “no good”.

Team officials implored them in fain to wear them in their first match igainst the booted New Hebrides earn because the ground was muddy ind spikes were needed for grip.

When the New Hebrideans took o the field the Solomon Islanders vere terrified of their boots, and virtually stood off while the New rlebrides quickly scored two goals o nil.

"No Fight Now"

Then a Solomon Islander was well and truly trodden on by some opposition boots, and discovering to lis surprise that it didn’t hurt much, le shouted to his mates, “No matter ong boots. Me feller no fright low!” —and the game was on!

The result: Solomons 6, New Hebrides 3, with the crowd cheering hemselves hoarse for the barefoot •venders.

New Caledonia started the series as favourites, with French Polynesia next.

Certainly with their Continental style and superb goalkeepers they showed themselves to be the finest South Pacific exponents.

By the luck of the draw the two French teams had to fight out the semi-finals, New Caledonia won 2 to 1 after extra time was allowed to separate them.

Afterwards, the French Polynesian goalkeeper publicly wept at the pity of it all, as well he might.

The Fiji team, which fought out the final with New Caledonia, was dominated by Lautoka players who had picked up a lot of style recently from a visiting German team.

New Caledonia won.