Courtesy: New Zealand FA


Futsal Whites go down to New Caledonia in final match

AUCKLAND: New Zealand’s Futsal Whites succumbed to New Caledonia 6-4 in a dramatic conclusion to the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva on Saturday night.

In one of the most exciting games of the tournament, the two sides matched each other goal for goal before New Caledonia edged ahead in the final stages.

The result meant New Zealand finished third in the tournament - equal on 12 points with Fiji, but behind on goal difference.

New Zealand target Micky Malivuk shot the Futsal Whites ahead early before Anderson Paulin equalised for New Caledonia. Said Soleimanpour put New Zealand 2-1 up but goals from Loic Caunes and Caryl Thepinier made it 3-2 to New Caledonia at halftime.

Miro Major equalised for New Zealand immediately after the break but the prolific Cedrik Humuni quickly fired his side back in front.

With seven minutes to go Mainon Kaouwi made it a two goal lead for the underdogs before Malivuk’s tenth goal of the tournament pulled one back for the Futsal Whites. Humuni’s second with a minute on the clock sealed it for New Caledonia, leaving the Futsal Whites devastated at the final whistle.

New Zealand coach Matt Chandler was overall very happy with his side’s performance at the tournament but felt the Futsal Whites were tired at the end of a long campaign.

“I think one of the big differences tonight was that this was our sixth game on the bounce, while New Caledonia had a bye yesterday and that really refreshed them.”

“Some of our key players were feeling the effects of a long week. But those are the same players who have a done tremendous job for us in this tournament, so overall, we’re very happy with where we are at.”

“We now know where we have to be to succeed next year in the World Cup qualifiers.”

Earlier in the evening Fiji overcame Vanuatu 4-0 while OFC champions Solomon Islands thrashed Tuvalu 21-2.

New Caledonia 6: Anderson PAULIN 8, Loic CAUNES 15, Caryl THEPINIER 16, Cedrick HUMUNI 23, 39 Mainon KAOUWI 33

New Zealand 4: Micky MALIVUK 4, 33, Said SOLEIMANPOUR 14, Miro MAJOR 21


New Zealand squad: Elias Billeh (GK), Clayton Chapell (GK), Marvin Eakins, Miro Major, Dylan Manickum, Lucas Da Silva, Miroslav Malivuk, Said Solimanpour, Issac O’Hara, Khalid Razouk, Brayden Lissington
Coach: Matt Chandler


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