Courtesy: OFC Web Site


New Caledonia 2 Tahiti 3

Tahiti have come from two goals behind to stun New Caledonia 3-2 at the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva this afternoon.

The win takes the Tahitians to six points and very much in contention while New Caledonia are reeling after their third straight loss.

Eric Michalak’s side started well with a long range effort from Ivann Pourouoro hitting the roof of the net inside five minutes.

Romain Guitton made it two for New Caledonia midway through the half when he stole the ball from Teivarii Kaiha on the halfway line and coolly finished his 1 v 1.

Tahiti captain Teva Durot started the second period come back with a goal inside the first minute.

Mana Faarahia drew level five minutes later when his left-foot strike took a wicked deflection leaving goalkeeper Ronan Euzen no chance.

Tahiti defender Teivarii Kaiha then made up for his earlier defensive error by smashing in the winner six minute from the end.

Both sides face tough matches tomorrow with Tahiti taking on New Zealand while New Caledonia faces hosts Fiji.

To download the match summary of the game, click here.




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Vanuatu 2 New Zealand 3

New Zealand have earned their first win at the OFC Futsal Championship edging Vanuatu 3-2 at Vodafone Arena.

Captain Marvin Eakins led the way with a goal in each half to help the Futsal Whites to a crucial three points and keep their championship hopes alive.

Chances in the opening 10 minutes were few and far between as both teams took a cautious approach. Vanuatu’s Ben Hungai and Louis Dominique combined well on attack while the Kiwis looked to him front man Said Solemanpour.

Hungai eventually broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, squeezing his second attempt at goal through the legs of goalkeeper Elias Billeh.

But Eakins hit back three minutes later from a set play to draw the scores level going into the break.

Again it was tight in the opening exchanges of the second period as both teams were largely restricted to long range efforts.

It took some fancy footwork down the left from Lucas Silva to break through the Vanuatu defense as he scored on the half hour mark with a left foot drive.

But Vanuatu hit straight back less that a minute later through Hungai who took his tournament tally to five.

The game became increasingly physical in the latter stages with Matt Chandler’s men receiving two yellow cards in the last five minutes to match Vanuatu’s earlier cautions.

With less than two minutes to go, Eakins stepped up to finish off another clever set play and seal the victory for New Zealand.

In day four action, the Futsal Whites meet Tahiti who are on a winning streak after beating New Caledonia by the same scoreline earlier today.

Vanuatu meanwhile have to regroup quickly as they square off against the Solomon Islands.

To download the match summary of the game, click here.





Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Tuvalu 1 Fiji 5

The final match on day three of the OFC Futsal Championship has seen Fiji score five goals inside the last 10 minutes to defeat a spirited Tuvalu side 5-1.

Captain Kamal Hassan led the charge with a well taken hat-trick to take Fiji to six points and draw level with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands at the top of the table.

Tuvalu, who have not competed in the Oceania tournament since 2008, went ahead in the sixth minute when Ola Eliu's left foot strike hit the back of the net. Teammate Malauna Takatea had a golden opportunity to make it two shortly after but goalkeeper Saukuru did well to keep him out.

Fiji should have had an equaliser midway through the half but for some brilliance by Siopepa Tailolo who made a triple save between the sticks.

Tuvalu were the unlikely leaders going into the break and continued to defend well in the second period. Siopepa put in a man-of-the-match performance shutting out wave after wave of Fiji attack.

Jerome Funatuti meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter. But eventually the goal had to come from Fiji and it was Simione Vesa who claimed it in the 33rd minute.

Hassan showed his class with three more before the finish while vice captain Petero Dauniseka also chimed in with one.

Fiji face New Caledonia in tomorrow's second match while Tuvalu earn a well earned break after three days of action.

To download the match summary of the game, click here.



Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Match Day 3 Review

Fiji, New Zealand and Tahiti were the big winners at the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva today as they kept their title hopes alive with crucial victories.

After a flattering 5-1 win over Tuvalu, hosts Fiji remain the only unbeaten side along with the Solomon Islands and sit second to the Kurukuru in the standings only on goal difference.

Tuvalu led 1-0 throughout the match and looked like they could hold on until a late onslaught from the home side including a hat-trick to Kamal Hassan.

The Fiji captain says they were fortunate to get out of the match with maximum points.

“I think we took Tuvalu very lightly in the match but they proved to be a good side. When Tuvalu scored an early goal we seemed to rush things but a good talk at half time by the coach and team director settled us down.

“We are happy with the win and I would like to thank the boys for the effort.” Hassan.

Fiji coach Hussein Sahib says there will be areas to work on before their next match.

“I discussed with the boys what went wrong in the first half and in second half they came out to show their true character. I’m happy with the way they finished the game. But we definitely need to go back and talk about the way we started this match,” says Sahib.

Tahiti also enjoyed their second straight victory edging New Caledonia 3-2 to take them to six points. After going down two goals in the first half, Tapu Hunter's side hit back after the break through Teva Durot, Mana Faarahia and Tevarii Kaiha.

Front man Herenui Peretii says the team will take a lot of confidence from the dramatic victory.

"We were a bit unlucky at the start but we came back in the second half and put them under a lot of pressure. We got our attackers in the game more than in our last two games. We're learning every game."

Peretii says the tournament has been valuable experience for the young side.

"This is the first international tournament for many of the players. I think the team is getting better each game. We play with heart and anything is possible in sport so we'll try to win the championship."

New Zealand meanwhile beat Vanuatu by the same margin; a brace to captain Marvin Eakins from two set plays capping off a gutsy performance. The Futsal Whites were without Micky Malivuk who is still recovering from a knock in the first match but coach Matt Chandler says there was enough depth in the squad to see them through.

"We hope Micky's going to come right but we're strong as a team so I'm not too concerned. I thought Marvin was incredible today. I couldn't take him off, he just had to stay in the game. The boys showed a lot of character and I think we grew up a little bit as a futsal team tonight.

"I was particularly pleased that they bounced back from a the equalising goal. We've got a lot of belief now and we'll take that into our next match."

New Zealand will face Tahiti in tomorrow's opening match with the Fiji-New Caledonia clash to follow and finally the match of the day will feature Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.


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