Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Solomon Islands 21 Tuvalu 2

An emphatic 21-2 victory over Tuvalu has seen the Solomon Islands claim the OFC Futsal Championship at Vodafone Arena in Suva this evening.

Kurukuru sensation Elliot Ragomo, 19, put away seven goals – six of which came in the first period.

It is the third consecutive title for the Solomon Islands, who represented Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2008.

Coach Dickson Kadau says today’s results and the performances all week have confirmed they are on the right track.

“I feel like we’re improving all the time. We’ve shown we are top of Oceania for the third year in a row but that doesn’t mean I don’t have respect for other teams. If they want to win it enough they can do it too.”

Tuvalu had number one goalkeeper Siopepa Tailolo back between the sticks after missing the previous match with a hamstring injury, but even he couldn’t stop the scoring spree.

Toakai Puapua’s side did at least score two through Easter Tekafa and Jerome Funafuti but otherwise it was all one way traffic.

Jack Egeta got the scoring underway before Ragomo set the fans going with four in a row. He added two more before the half in between Micah Lea’alafa strikes, with Matthias Saru and George Stevenson also chiming in.

The Kurukuru boys picked up the pace again after the break as their quick rotations cause Tuvalu all sorts of problems.

In the end, eight Solomons players had added their name to the score sheet for an emphatic victory that almost matched the tournament record of 23-1 – a famous victory for the Futsalroos over Samoa back in 1996 when Australia was still part of OFC.

Despite the lop-sided scoreline, Puapua said it was still a valuable experience for his young side.

"Playing against the Solomon Islands is always good - you're competing against the best team in the region. There is obviously a big difference but futsal is just in the very early stages of development in Tuvalu and we have only a few players to choose from," said Puapua.

"But this tournament has been a learning curve for the players and the management. We will take a lot home with us."

Next year the OFC tournament will act as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012. The Kurukuru have set the benchmark for Oceania in this week’s tournament and will be hoping they can make it four in a row in 2011.

To download the match summary, click here.




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Fiji 4 Vanuatu 0

Fiji have put in their best defensive effort on day seven of the OFC Futsal Championship to beat Vanuatu 4-0.

With 12 points, the hosts could take second place depending on New Zealand’s result against New Caledonia in the final match of the round-robin competition at Vodafone Arena this evening.

Coach Hussein Sahib says he will take the positives out of the tournament and start working towards the World Cup qualifiers next year.

“We’re pleased to finish with a win. Now we can start focussing on next year and get a bigger group of players so there’s more competition amongst them. There’s a lot of football players out there who I think could do very well at futsal so it’s a matter of convincing them to become part of the set up," said Sahib.

Roy Krishna opened the scoring midway through the first period making no mistake from the 6m penalty spot.

The Waitakere United striker then turned provider setting up Kamal Hassan in the 16th minute for Fiji to go 2-0 up at the break.

In the second period it was end-to-end action with the crowd support split down the middle.

Vanuatu had opportunities aplenty with Edward Ben and Louis Dominique missing guilt-edged chances midway through the half.

Junior Malas and Don Mansale also went close but the Vanuatu side seemed to have left their shooting boots at home.

Fiji goalkeeper Josaia Ratu also did well to keep his side in it and when he want off injured late in the game, replacement Levi Saukuru did equally well.

As Vanuatu pushed forward they became increasingly susceptible to the counter and Kamal Hassan made them punish three minutes from time, grabbing his seventh goal of the championship.

His vice captain Petero Dauniseka then made it four to finish off on a high and become the only team to complete two shut outs.

Vanuatu coach Marcellino Barthelemy says it was a disappointing overall performance.

"We didn't play very well and we missed a lot of goals. But thats's the game. We still have a lot to learn."

To download the match summary, click here.




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


New Zealand 4 New Caledonia 6

The OFC Futsal Championship concluded with plenty of drama as New Caledonia upset New Zealand 6-4 in one of the most exciting games of the tournament.

Eric Michalak’s side went into the game with only one win from five matches but saved their best till last with an outstanding team effort.

Fiji meanwhile were also celebrating as the result lifted them to second place above the Futsal Whites on goal difference.

Cedrick Humuni and Caryl Thepinier led the way for New Caledonia with two goals each while Anderson Paulin, Loic Cuanes and Mainon Kaowi also got on the score sheet.

Michalak was delighted to finish the tournament on a high.

“New Zealand are a good team and we knew we had to play well to beat them,” said Michalak.

“I’m proud of the way my players fought back after going down a goal. And they showed character today because we had disappointing results earlier in the week. It tested the team spirit, but we came out on top.”

Micky Malivuk put the Kiwis ahead in the 4th minute with the assist coming from Izaac Martell-O’Hara but Paulin got one back for the New Caledonians shortly after.

The two sides again exchanged goals through Said Soleimanpour and Loic Caunes before Caryl Thepinier scored a timely goal for New Caledonia before the break.

Miro Major was the first to score for New Zealand in the second period but the impressive Humuni put away a fourth for Michalak’s men on 23 minute.

Kaouwi gave his side a two goal lead before Malivuk pulled one back with seven minutes to play. Finally Humuni broke Kiwi hearts with a minute left on the clock scoring New Caledonia’s fifth and his tenth of the week.

New Zealand coach Matt Chandler says the team’s level of fitness was tested today.

“New Caledonia had a break yesterday and we were tired. A lot of our key players were feeling the effects of a long week,” said Chandler.

“But we’ve come a long way. I’ve had this group since the 5th of July and to get these results this week I’m really pleased, I really am.”




Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Hat-trick for Kurukuru, hosts claim second

The Solomon Islands have claimed their third consecutive OFC Futsal Championship at Suva’s Vodafone Arena on Saturday, finishing above runners-up Fiji and New Zealand who took third.

Dickson Kadau’s side concluded the round-robin competition in style with a 21-2 win over Tuvalu which almost matched the tournament record of 23-1 set by the Futsalroos over Samoa back in 1996 when Australia was still part of OFC.

Kurukuru sensation Elliot Ragomo showed why he is one of the best in the region, scoring seven goals in his final match to claim the OFC Golden Boot Award just ahead of teammate Micah Lea’alafa.

Kadau says it was a team effort that took them to the title.

“The experienced players were all impressive but I have to say some of the youngsters also stood out this week. Coleman Makau was playing in his first OFC tournament and was particularly impressive.”

In other action on day seven, Fiji beat Vanuatu 4-0 while New Caledonia upset New Zealand 6-4 to consign the Futsal Whites to third place behind the hosts on goal difference.

Vanuatu meanwhile finish in fourth place followed by Tahiti, New Caledonia and Tuvalu.

Ragomo, who was the first ever Solomon Islander to play futsal as a professional with Playas De Castellon in Spain, picked up the OFC Golden Ball Award for his outstanding performances throughout the week.

Tahiti’s Atanui Tetihia meanwhile picked up the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper as he helped his side restrict the goals to just 16 – equal to table toppers Solomon Islands and Fiji.

The Tahitians also picked up the OFC Fair Play Award.

In 2011 the Oceania event will act as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012. Next year’s edition is scheduled to take place in May with a decision on the venue coming later this year.


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