By TERRY MADDAFORD
Spearheaded by last season's top goalscorer - and New Zealand national league player of the year - Commins Menapi, the Solomon Islands showed they should be the team to beat in the group two Oceania World Cup qualifiers.
Menapi's hat-trick, which came in a 25-minute burst helped his side to a comfortable 9-1 win over the Cook Islands on the opening day of the 10-match tournament at North Harbour Stadium.
In the earlier game, Tahiti also showed good early form to overpower Vanuatu 6-1, Naea Bennett grabbing three of their goals.
Menapi and Patteson Daudau both scored three goals against the Cooks, who had stung the hotshots with Niki Te Miha's fifth-minute opener.
To their credit, the outclassed Cook Islands battled resolutely and held the Solomons to just a two-goal advantage at halftime.
Batram Suri, a long-time favourite with New Zealand crowds during his time in the national league, sparked his side into life with his 15th-minute equaliser before Daudau grabbed his first three minutes later.
Menapi got his first on the half hour as the Solomons headed to the break at 3-1.
The lively, but certainly not - unlike the Tahitians - physically intimidating, Solomon Islanders turned in a skilful second-half display.
That was made to look even better with three goals in the last 15 minutes.
Tahiti needed 25 minutes to get started against Vanuatu when Tony Senechel scored.
Naea Bennett grabbed the first of his three 10 minutes later and a second in the 41st minute for a comfortable halftime lead.
Harold Amaru increased that to four early in the second half before the Carlos Buzzetti-coached Vanuatu side were justly rewarded with a goal from Simon Laurus in the 56th minute.
Tahiti were impressive, especially in defence where Heimana Paama and Sylvain Boene had strong games. They will certainly benefit from yesterday's match.
They should give the All Whites a real test when the home side kick off their campaign tomorrow.
The eventual winner of the qualifying series will play the in-form Australians in the Oceania play-off.
There were early signs that a number of games will be one-sided during the tournament.
But yesterday's games did show that there had been progress on the field in the island nations.
Soccer: Solomons, Tahiti impress with early wins
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