Courtesy: OFC Web Site


OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 - FIJI AND SOLOMONS START WITH WINS

Monday, 06 July 09

SUVA - Host nation Fiji and defending defending champions Solomon Islands are both off to winning starts in contrasting fashion at the OFC Futsal Championships.Fiji were made to battle hard through-out their match against Vanuatu in the night’s first match and tournament opener.

The hosts eventually came away 2-1 winners thanks to second half goals from Sandeep Nair and Shivam Nathan.

Vanuatu were frustrated by a series of excellent saves from Fijian keeper Simione Moce Tamanisau who’s best moments came with a pair of outstanding full-stretch reflex saves that showcased his valu.

Ironically Tamanisau made only one mistake to blot his copybook in the match, hesitating with a clearance which immediately led to his conceding an embarrassing 39th minute consolation goal to New Caledonia’s Vira Jack Ala.

2008 OFC Futsal Championship golden boot winner and Fiji captain Kamal Hassan was pleased to get his team off to a wining start.

“Our first half wasn’t that good but the second half was much better. Over-all I think it was a pretty good performance for our first game, we worked hard and used our possession better after halftime,” Kamal told OFC.

The night’s second match saw Oceaina’s reigning Futsal Champs the Solomon Islands reverse a 2-3 halftime deficit against with a devastating second half haul of five unanswered goals.

The Kurukurus went up a gear in the second to clinch an 8-3 win with captain Elliot Ragomo and Micah Lea’alafa scoring a brace each.

Solomon Islands coach Dickson Kadau was pleased with his team’s response to his halftime advice.

“The boys lost the tempo a little bit and allowed New Caledonia too much possession of the ball. At halftime I told them to take better care of the ball, to make them (New Caledonia) run more and the more we kept the ball the more our confidence came back and we kept them in their half. They did what I told them at halftime,” Kadau said.

Fiji v Vanuatu

Fiji: 1. SImione Mose TAMANISAU (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep NAIR; 8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO ; 9. Kamal HASSAN

SUBS : 4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR ; 5. Shivam NATHAN; 6. Mohammed SHALMEEN; 7. Joseph MISHRA; 10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI; 11. Christopher Junior KUMAR; 12. Emori RAGATA (GK)

Goals: Sandeep NAIR 30'; Shivam NATHAN 31'

Van: 1. Daniel MANSALE (GK); 6. Terry Quare; 8. Louis DOMINQUE; 10. Vira Jack ALA ; 11. Ben Edward

SUBS : 2. Morsen SOPE ; 3. Don MANSALE ; 4. Marco HERROMINLY ; 5. Lui SIFAS; 7. Ben Hungai; 9. Junior MALAS;

Goals: Vira Jack ALA 39'

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 -Match Day 1
Monday 6 July
Vodafone Arena, Suva

Results

Vanuatu: 1
Fiji: 2

New Caledonia: 3
Solomon Islands: 8






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com