Honiara-select goal scorer Dennis Ifunaoa congratulated by team mate after his goal on Saturday’s final friendly with O’League bound Marist FC. Photo by JARED KOLI.

HONIARA-Select side edged a 1 – 0 win over O’League bound Marist FC in their second and final friendly at Lawson Tama Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Dennis Ifunaoa strikes in the only goal minutes into the second half after a well taken cross, sending waves of applause from supporters.

Both teams were held to a deadlock in the first half with equal opportunities, but failed to convert goals.

Marist couldn’t make good use of two perfect chances one of which occurred at the dying minutes, while the Select side also missed a few.

The Honiara-select which consisted of experienced players from the TSL league have shown good spirit of performance to test the O’League first timers.

Honiara-Select side Interim Head coach Rence Talo was pleased with his boys for the good fight. This was because Marist thrashed his side three unanswered goals during their first friendly Wednesday last week.

“Though we have experienced players, the boys realised their mistakes in the first game, but today (Saturday) we set our minds towards winning this game, and I am pleased with the result,” Talo told SunSPORTS after the match.

Marist Head coach, Juliano Schelming was also satisfied with the result.

He said his boys have double session training on Thursday and Friday and get little rest for the game.

I think they are improving very well after each of the friendly matches, and I hope they will represent Solomon Islands really well in the O’League.