Courtesy:
Oceania Football Web SiteTuvalu 1 Vanuatu 7 Vanuatu are off to a flyer in the OFC Futsal Championship with a 7-1 victory over Tuvalu in the opening match at the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2010.
But it wasn't easy going in the first period with Ben Hungai the only player to get on the scoresheet while underdogs Tuvalu managed an equaliser through Easter Tekafa.
Tuvalu came out fighting in the second 20-minute period and almost went ahead through Jerome Funafuti who couldn't capitalise on a 1v1 against goalkeeper Daniel Sale.
Vanuatu made them pay with a goal to Lui Sifas in the 22nd minute after a nice cross ball from Don Mansale.
Hungai grabbed a double within a minute to take the score to 3-1. Tuvalu heads dropped and Vanuatu started to take control with captain Louis Dominique at the centre of most attacks.
Two goals in quick succession from Mansale and Dominique put the game out of reach as Vanuatu started to show off their skills with back flicks, stepovers and no-look passes.
Hungai completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute before Terry Quare rounded out the scoring.
Courtesy:
Oceania Football Web SiteSolomon Islands 9 New Caledonia 2The Solomon Islands have shown why they are the favourites at the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2010 after an emphatic 9-2 win against New Caledonia today.
Suva's Vodafone Arena came alive on Saturday evening as the young Kurukuru wowed fans with a dominant performance including a hat-trick from star player Elliot Ragomo.
It was 2009 Golden Boot winner Micah Lea'alafa who got the scoring underway in just the third minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
A few minutes later, New Caledonia's Anderson Paulin drew a fine save from goalkeeper Paul Huia, who also won honours last year with the Golden Glove Award.
Ragomo doubled his side's lead in the 10th minute firing into the top corner with an impressive left-foot strike. Lea'alafa scored his second in the 19th minute before New Caledonia scored an own goal just before the break.
Solomon Islands pulled out plenty of tricks in the second period, much to the delight of the fans who had packed Vodafone Arena almost to capacity.
But it was New Caledonia who were first to score, Cedrick Humuni capitalising on a defensive error in the 22nd minute.
Caryl Thepinier also got on the score sheet for New Caledonia in the 29th minute, but it was in between two well taken goals from Ragomo.
Jack Wetney then got in on the action with a quick double inside the last minute, saving the best till last with a low strike that gave goalkeeper Ronan Euzen no chance.
The 9-2 scoreline may have flattered the Kurukuru but in a round-robin competition every goal is crucial.
Courtesy:
Oceania Football Web SiteTahiti 0 Fiji 2Fiji skipper Kamal Hassan and vice captain Petero Dauniseka led by example with a goal in each half to guide the hosts to a 2-0 victory over Tahiti in the OFC Futsal Championship on Saturday night at Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Dauniseka gave Fiji the lead after 2 minutes when he was given space and time just outside the area. Tahiti regrouped to deny Fiji on numerous occasions for the remainder of the first period.
They almost had an equaliser just before the break as Judicael Mai and Heifara Mau swarmed the Fiji goal but eventually the ball was cleared.
Early in the second spell, a long range effort from Hassan went just wide of the upright. But he was eventually rewarded for his efforts with a goal on 31 minutes after a defensive slip up by Tahiti.
Roy Krishna gave Fiji an extra spark but overall there was less flair than in the previous two matches. Both teams were physical, well organised and helped by outstanding performances by goalkeepers Levi Saukuru for Fiji and Jeannot Ganahoa.
Fiji will have a day to reflect their victory with a bye tomorrow before facing Tuvalu on Tuesday.
Courtesy:
Oceania Football Web SiteMatch Day 1 Results Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have taken the ascendency at the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva today picking up maximum points from their opening matches.
The hosts had to grind out a 2-0 win over Tahiti while the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu enjoyed comfortable victories over New Caledonia (9-2) and Tuvalu (7-1) respectively. New Zealand meanwhile had a bye.
The opening match looked like it would be a close encounter with underdogs Tuvalu holding Vanuatu to 1-1 at the break.
But Vanuatu ran away with the match in the second 20-minute period as Ben Hungai grabbed a hat-trick and captain Louis Dominique showed his bag of tricks.
Vodafone Arena was almost full to capacity for the night’s second match featuring two-time champions the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.
It was 2009 Golden Boot winner Micah Lea’alafa who got the scoring underway in just the third minute but captain Elliot Ragomo eventually stole the show scoring a superb hat-trick.
New Caledonia grabbed two through Cedrick Humuni and Caryl Thepinier but a quick double from Kurukuru Jack Wetney in the final minute of the match took the score out to 9-2. The score line may have been flattering but in a round-robin competition every goal counts.
In the final match of the day, Fiji vice-captain Petero Dauniseka put his side ahead inside three minutes, much to the delight of the home fans.
By contrast to the first two matches, scoring opportunities were few and far between as both Fiji and Tahiti set up well in defense.
Tahiti almost earned an equalizer in the final minute of the first period as Judicael Mai and Heifara Mau swarmed the Fiji goal but eventually the ball was cleared.
Fiji tried a number of long range shots after the break but finally had some breathing on 32 minutes when captain Kamal Hassan found the back of the net.
The hosts now share equal top spot with the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu but with six match days to go there is still plenty to look forward to.
Full match reports and quotes will be available on oceaniafootball.com in due course
Every match from the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2010 will be streamed live online at oceaniafootball.com
Posted by
Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
