International Football Comes to the Cook Islands

Saturday saw the a Cook Islands selection take on the might of...Waitakere City.  OK, so the term 'international' was used broadly, but in effect both teams were from different countries!  And, Waitakere are the reigning NZ club champions so they are a very good side with several past, present, and age-group NZ reps in their ranks.  And they showed it on Saturday beating the Cook Islands 9-1! 
This match was used as a warmup for  the CI team that leaves tomorrow for the South Pacific Games in Noumea where they'll meet the likes of Tonga, PNG, Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati and the like.
Football isn't overly popular here in the Cooks but due to their affiliation with FIFA are the wealthiest sport on the island.  The ground they played at is a wonderful facility.  This is the same venue where I played 5-a-side earlier in the year and the players on the Cooks team are some of those I played with and against during that tournament.  I was in illustrious company indeed...and got showed up for the social hack I am.  This is certainly not Patutahi Football ground in Ngatapa, Gisborne!

Kick Off.  The Cook Islands were doing well at this stage
with the score being 0-0!

So far, so good for the Cooks.

Waitakere attacking - a common occurrence!

A corner for the Cooks

While the Cook Islands started well they soon showed defensive frailties at the back and Waitakere's superior skill eventually told and it turned out to be a bit of a hiding.  Nonetheless, it was a great occasion and enjoyed by all.

One minor irritation for me was the ground announcer who kept referring the the score as "5 points to 1"... They're not points, they're goals!  He had a pony tail so what do you expect!