Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Tahiti 1 New Zealand 2

Brazilian-born Lucas Silva has helped New Zealand to a 2-1 win over Tahiti at Vodafone Arena this afternoon scoring the winning goal with just three minutes to play.

Said Soleimanpour had earlier put the Futsal Whites ahead in the 32nd minute when he climbed above goalkeeper Atanui Tetihia to head home from close range.

But the Tahitians hit back five minutes later through captain Teva Durot after his low drive from 10 yards took a deflection off Marvin Eakins.

Step up Silva – one of the most skilful players in the New Zealand who plied his trade in Brazil before moving to New Zealand five years ago.

The 25 year-old slotted the ball home after a clever interchange from Micky Malivuk and Miro Major on a New Zealand breakaway.

The Kiwis were fortunate to have Malivuk back from injury while players like Silva, Major and Brayden Lissington are coming into their own.

Clayton Chappell also had a solid game between the sticks taking over from Elias Billeh who started the previous two matches.

But Tahiti will find the loss hard to swallow after Judicael Mai had a guilt-edged chance midway through the first half to take the lead – with an open goal at his mercy – while Loic Oldham hit the upright in the dying stages.

After two losses, it will be difficult for Tapu Hunter’s side to come back while New Zealand still have an outside chance after two wins and a loss.

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




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


New Caledonia 2 Fiji 6

Fiji remain unbeaten at the OFC Futsal Championship after a comprehensive 6-2 win over New Caledonia.

Captain Kamal Hassan again led from the front with a double while speedster Roy Krishna got in on the action with his first goal of the tournament.

New Caledonia meanwhile are out of the running after their fourth straight loss.

But Eric Michalak’s men were the first to score in the 6th minute when captain Loic Caunes set off on a breakaway from inside his own half and struck the ball low across the goalkeeper.

Hassan equalised from the penalty spot on 10 minutes and that’s how it stayed until the break.

New Caledonia took the lead again two minutes after the break with Caunes scoring one of the goals of the tournament – a low drive from close to his own half way line that had Ronan Euzen beaten all ends up.

The 23-year-old continued to be a live wire for his side while Ivann Pourouoro also caused problems for the Fijian defense.

But it was all square again when Krishna hit home in the 24th minute and Fiji started to take control of the match as the home crowd cheered them on.

Three goals in five minutes from Sedrick Dutt, Hassan and Siaa Ali turned the game on its head before Uraia Loki, who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, put the icing on the cake with a right-foot screamer in the 39th minute.

Fiji move to nine points with three wins from three and look to have the best shot of upsetting the Solomon Islands for the title, while New Caledonia are yet to pick up their first point in the round-robin competition.

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




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Vanuatu 3 Solomon Islands 8

Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo may have been out of action on day four of the OFC Futsal Championship but the Solomon Islands still poured on the goals beating Vanuatu 8-3.

The inspirational Ragomo had to sit out the match due to suspension but Michah Lea'alafa stepped up to score a hat-trick and take his tournament tally to nine.

The favourites remain at the top of the table equal on points with hosts Fiji but with a superior goal tally of plus six.

Jack Wetney put the favourites ahead in the sixth minute after rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home from a tight angle.

The tournament’s leading goal scorer Lea’alafa doubled the lead two minutes later before Vanuatu settled into the game with a more structured defense.

Coleman Makau then scored just before the break to give the Solomon Islands a three-goal cushion going into the break.

The Kurukuru hit their stride in the second period, entertaining the 2000 plus crowd with plenty of ball skills.

Lea’alafa was particularly impressive while Wetney showed some magic footwork to round the keeper yet again for his second and the team’s sixth.

But lack of concentration cost the Kurkuru at the end with Vanuatu scoring two in the dying stages through Nemani Roqara and Ben Hungai while an unfortunate own goal made it three for Marcellino Barthelemy’s side.

Vanuatu will day a break for match day five while the Solomons get set to face Tahiti.


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




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Match Day 4 Review

The OFC Futsal Championship has passed the half-way point today with the Solomon Islands and Fiji starting to pull away from the rest of the field.

Both sides hit nine points following Fiji’s 6-2 win over New Caledonia and the Solomons’ 8-3 drubbing of Vanuatu. They sit three points clear at the top of the table, with the Kurukuru ahead on goal difference, while New Zealand are the next best team with six points from three matches.

It was a slow start to match day four as Tahiti and New Zealand played out the first goalless half of the tournament before the Futsal Whites came through 2-1 winners by the end.

The last minute victory, thanks to Brazilian-born pivot Lucas Silva, followed on from their equally dramatic win over Vanuatu the day before.

“We seem to be a team that refuses to lose,” said coach Matt Chandler, speaking after the match. “We defend well, we defend with our hearts and attack with purpose.”

Goal hero Silva echoed these sentiments saying the team has gelled well despite having only been together for around 8 weeks.

“There is a really good spirit within the team. We never give up we try until the last minute, the last second, and that’s what worked for us yesterday and today.”

In the second match of the day, Fiji started slowly against New Caledonia going into the break 1-1. But as the game opened up in the second period the hosts capitalised scoring another five to make it 6-2. Captain Kamal Hassan, who scored a brace of goals, says keeping their unbeaten record was a boost but admits there is a long way to go.

“We are happy we’ve got three wins but our hardest games are still to come. New Zealand tomorrow and then it’s the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu,” said Hassan.

“We hope the fans continue to come out and support the team to give us the extra lift we need.”

It has been the Solomon Islands drawing the most supporters to Vodafone Arena, particularly students from the University of the South Pacific (USB).

Kurukuru forward Jack Wetney, who scored two goals in his side’s 8-3 victory over Vanuatu today, says the fans have been brilliant.

“The atmosphere is something else I can’t explain it. We definitely feel at home here.”

Leading goal scorer Micah Lea’alafa was the other star on day four with his well-taken hat-trick but Wetney says it was a team effort.

“Elliot coudn’t play but all the boys stepped up to get the win. We’re a young side but at the same time we have more experience compared to the other teams. We have been on overseas tours and that has helped us. Overall we’re just really confident at the moment.”

Match day five will see New Zealand play Fiji first up before Tahiti take on the Solomon Islands and finally New Caledonia and Tuvalu will go out to seek their first points in the tournament.


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