Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Match Day 6 Preview

The sixth day of action in the OFC Futsal Championship kicks off today at Vodafone Arena in Suva.

The Solomon Islands take on Fiji in the first match at 4:30pm local time before New Zealand meet Tuvalu at 6:30pm and Tahiti clash with Vanuatu at 8:30pm.

All matches will be streamed LIVE online via Oceaniafootball.com

Here's a look at how the teams are looking ahead of the sixth round of matches:

Fiji vs Solomon Islands
This is a must win match for the hosts after their disappointing 6-4 loss to New Zealand on day five. But if last year’s results are anything to go, the Solomon Islands should come out on top after they beat Fiji 5-3 and 8-1 in 2009. Hussein Sahib’s charges have gone a goal down in three out of their four matches but can ill afford to against the likes of Elliot Ragomo, Jack Wetney and Micah Lea’alafa who are all in fine form. The Solomon Islands can all but wrap up the championship this afternoon with just Tuvalu left to play on day seven. It will take a heroic performance from Fiji – and perhaps some Black Friday bad luck for the Kurukuru – if the hosts are to win this one.

New Zealand vs Tuvalu
Tuvalu go in as clear underdogs having suffered their fourth straight defeat against New Caledonia yesterday. In that match, goalkeeper Siopepa Tailolo chose to play out on court but he will need to be back between the sticks if Tuvalu are to have any chance. New Zealand meanwhile are full of confidence after three consecutive wins and will look for Micky Malivuk to once again put away the goals. The Croatian-born forward is in the running for the golden boot with seven to his name while inspirational captain Marvin Eakins has led the defense with stand out performances all week. Coach Matt Chandler may also use this match as an opportunity to give his young guns a hit out.

Tahiti vs. Vanuatu
This is likely to be the closest match up of the day as Tahiti and Vanuatu sit mid-table with six points. Both teams are coming off the back of two straight losses to New Zealand and the Solomon Islands but Vanuatu have the fresh legs after a bye yesterday. Captain Louis Dominque and Terry Quare have been the standouts for Vanuatu while Ben Hungai has led the scoring with six of the team’s 17 goals. But coach Marcellino Barthelemy will be without key player Lui Sifas who was cautioned in both of their last two outings. Tahiti have had arguably the best defensive structure of the seven participating teams and will look to back that up with a strong attacking game today. Loic Oldham has been outstanding and will once again lead from the front.

New Caledonia will have a bye today.

Upcoming matches:
14/8/10 4:30pm Solomon Islands vs Tuvalu
14/8/10 6:30pm Fiji vs Vanuatu
14/8/10 8:30pm New Zealand vs New Caledonia





Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Fiji 3 Solomon Islands 7

Solomon Islands have all but secured their third consecutive OFC Futsal Championship today after a 7-3 win over hosts Fiji at Vodafone Arena.

The Kurukuru remain the only unbeaten side in the round-robin competition and a win against bottom ranked Tuvalu tomorrow will seal the title.

What is more uncertain is who will win the Golden Boot Award after Jack Wetney and Elliot Ragomo helped their chances with two goals each today. Teammate Micah Lea’alafa still leads the race with New Caledonian Cedrick Humuni and New Zealand’s Micky Malivuk close behind.

Fiji meanwhile are out of the running and may also relinquish their second place if the Futsal Whites win today.

For the fourth match in a row, Fiji were first to concede letting Wetney in after just a minute.

The home side equalised on four minutes when Petero Dauniska squeezed the ball through on his second attempt but the Solomons hit straight back with Wetney’s long range effort taking a slight deflection.

Fiji enjoyed plenty of possession but couldn’t convert – their best chance coming midway through the period with a 3 v 1 opportunity but scrambling defence again kept them out.

Kurukuru defender Jeffery Bule grabbed his second goal of the tournament in the 13th minute with the assist coming from Lenson Bisili.

Dickson Kadau’s side were then buoyed going into the break after Ragomo put one in with three seconds left on the clock.

Fijian heads went down again in the 24th minute when Ragomo grabbed his second after another weaving run.

The life went out of the game but the Solomon Islands fans stayed strong in voice with plenty of chanting for their Kurukuru boys.

Aiesh Narayan and Dauniseka scored for the home side before the finish with two goals in between from Coleman Makau and Bisili to make it 7 for the Solomons.

The seventh and final day of action in Suva will see Fiji take on Vanuatu while the Kurukuru will look to finish with a flourish against Tuvalu.

To download the match summary, click here.




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


New Zealand 7 Tuvalu 1

New Zealand have beaten Tuvalu 7-1 on day seven of the OFC Futsal Championship to leapfrog Fiji into second spot in the standings.

Miro Major led the way with a brace, including one from the 6m penalty spot, while five others had a share of the remaining goals.

With four wins from five matches the Futsal Whites move to 12 points, three behind the Solomon Islands who went into the tournament as overwhelming favourites.

It was a slow start for the Kiwis as Tuvalu held them out for the best part of the first period but a devastating spell of five goals in three minutes turned the game on its head.

The first came through youngster Dylan Manickum who did well to beat his marker down the right and hit low across the goalkeeper.

Captain Marvin Eakins was then given time and space on the edge of the ‘D’ and picked his spot perfectly before Said Soleimanpour added one from close range moments later.

In the 20th minute, Major made up for an earlier penalty miss - this time smashing the ball home from the 6metre mark before grabbing New Zealand’s fifth on the stroke of half time.

The second period again started slowly with Tuvalu setting up well defensively. Toakai Puapua’s side should have had the first goal inside five minutes but Ala Avia couldn’t convert with an open goal at his mercy.

New Zealand’s top goal scorer Micky Malivuk had one of his easiest tap-ins of the tournament after Eakins set up in the 33rd minute.

Two minutes later Tuvalu finally had something to show for their efforts with Jerome Funafuti making a nice steal and shooting low past Elias Billeh.

Lucas Da Silva, Khalid Razouk and Braydon Lissington all tried their luck from the 10m penalty spot in the dying stages but only the 18-year-old Lissington managed to convert.

New Zealand will play New Caledonia in the final match of the tournament tomorrow while Tuvalu have the daunting task of playing the unbeaten Kurukuru.

To download the match summary, click here.



Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Tahiti 2 Vanuatu 4

Vanuatu have seen off a strong challenge from Tahiti this evening to win 4-2 and move to fourth on the table.

It was the Tahitians who scored first through Meirii Si Man in the fifth minute but Vanuatu captain Louis Dominique equalised midway through the period with a powerful shot from the right wing.

Junior Malas made it 2-1 for Vanuatu just before the break, slotting the ball through the legs of Atanui Tetihia after a decisive breakaway.

Tahiti pushed for an equaliser in the second period but an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Daniel Mansale, who was captain on the day, kept Vanuatu in front.

At the other end, Nemani Roqara showed off his ball skills midway through the period to wrong-foot the keeper and give Vanuatu a two goal cushion.

But Tahiti forward Mana Faarahia pulled one back, setting up an exciting end to the match.

Vanuatu successfully absorbed the pressure and got one more in before the final whistle as Tahiti sent too many forward. Ben Hungai claiming the last goal to keep him in the running for Golden Boot with seven goals for the week.

Tahiti, who have the bye tomorrow, must settle for six points from their six matches to lie in fifth place. Vanuatu meanwhile could challenge for second or third spot with a big win over Fiji on the final day of matches tomorrow.


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