Vanuatu to take on Papua New Guinea in Final

The round-robin stage of the 2013 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Men's Championship concluded in Thursday morning action at Waikaraka Park, and it was Vanuatu who emerged with the spoils from their virtual semi-final with Fiji to confirm a place in the Final against Papua New Guinea.

Fiji were asked to bat first and their decision to promote Joji Bulabalavu, who made an unbeaten 57 against Papua New Guinea on Wednesday morning, failed to pay dividends as Simpson Obed pulled off a screamer of a catch at point in the first over.

After dismissing Bulabalavu, Patrick Matautaava then struck a crucial second blow by removing Sekove Ravoka, Fiji's leading run-scorer, in the third over for just 5.

Vuiyasawa Mateiwaqa looked ominous in racing to 22 from 13 balls before he was deceived by Jelany Chilia. From this moment Fiji began to buckle under the weight of some constrictive bowling and electric fielding from a fired-up Vanuatu side.

Chilia, Jaxies Samuel and Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale each picked up braces to go with Matautaava's two early strikes as Fiji tumbled to 98 all out.

Fiji had some hope when dangerous Vanuatu opener Trevor Langa was bowled by Samuela Draunivudi for only 2, but Jonathon Dunn steadied the batting side's nerves by clubbing a six apiece off Draunivudi, Jone Batinibulu and Bulabalavu over the midwicket boundary.

Dunn was run out shortly after his final six for 35, but Matautaava and Mansale ensured that the door was shut on Fiji with a calm 35-run partnership for the third wicket before Matautaava departed for a brisk 37 from 24 deliveries.

This gave Wolford Kalworai the opportunity to take Vanuatu into the final by lofting Mateiwaqa to the long-on boundary as victory was wrapped up with 40 balls to spare.

Mansale was ecstatic with his side's effort in the field, particularly the two outstanding catches that were taken, after a below-par display against Indonesia.

"Apart from yesterday, we have done well in the field so it was unlucky [to drop catches] against Indonesia. Today we came back and fielded very well. After the game yesterday we talked for a few minutes and did some catching, so this morning we came in with a good energy."

Mansale was also glowing with anticipation at the opportunity to play for regional glory in the Final.

"I am so excited that we get another chance to play PNG in the Final. We are looking forward to giving them a good game and hopefully we can snatch a win."

Out on Waikaraka Park 6, Samoa ended their campaign with a victory over the Cook Islands, but it wasn't enough to take them through to the Final.

Samoa's final score of 207-7 was built around the efforts of Faasao Mulivai, who crunched a brutal 31-ball 75 with eight sixes, and their skipper Ben Mailata, who continued his standout tournament in all departments batting through the 20 overs to remain unbeaten on 85 from 58 deliveries.

The Cook Islands began brightly as openers Patiiamai Ataela and Joe Joseph added 59 in 7.4 overs. However they were unable to sustain their start for the period required to achieve victory, losing wickets with rapid regularity to be bowled out for 109.

Papua New Guinea inflicted defeat on their opponents for the sixth time in six matches at this tournament after overwhelming Japan by 81 runs out at Waikaraka Park 7.

In a display that has now become routine for their well-drilled and supremely talented side, 206 runs were not so much compiled as thumped with scant regard for their Japanese opponents.

Charles Amini hit four sixes in his 68 and together with Chris Kent, who was more subdued in making 54, the pair amassed a 120-run partnership for the third wicket in only 11 overs.

Japan then struggled to make inroads into the chase, settling for batting out their apportioned 20 overs and ending on 125-6. Japan's standout players Tomoki Ota making 36* and skipper Alexander Patmore 34 were the best with the bat

Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu will contest the Final at 3.00pm on Thursday afternoon - the winner will go through to the final qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Twenty20.

Thursday's Matches (Afternoon)

Final

Papua New Guinea v Vanuatu
Waikaraka Park 1

Scores in Brief

At Waikaraka Park 2

Fiji 98 all out, 17.4 overs (V Mateiwaqa 22; J Samuel 2-8, S Obed 2-13, P Matautaava 2-14, A Mansale 2-19, J Chilia 2-20)

Vanuatu 99-3, 13.2 overs (P Matautaava 37, J Dunn 35)

Vanuatu won by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Jaxies Samuel (Vanuatu)

At Waikaraka Park 6

Samoa 207-7, 20 overs (B Mailata 85*, F Mulivai 75; T Etita 3-34, D Teinaki 2-31, J Joseph 2-36)

Cook Islands 109 all out, 18.3 overs (P Ataela 32; S Cotter 3-13, D Burgess 3-14)

Samoa won by 98 runs

Man of the Match: Ben Mailata (Samoa)

At Waikaraka Park 7

Papua New Guinea 206-8, 20 overs (Charles Amini 68, C Kent 54, A Vala 29; T Hagihara 3-46)
Japan 125-6, 20 overs (T Ota 36*, A Patmore 34)

Papua New Guinea won by 81 runs

Man of the Match: Charles Amini (Papua New Guinea)

2013 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Men's Championship Table