Futsal Whites’ World Cup dream ends in shoot out loss

May 20, 2011

SUVA, FIJI – The Futsal Whites’ hopes of making the FIFA Futsal World Cup finals next year were ended last night by Tahiti, who claimed a dramatic penalty shoot out win in the semi final of the 2011 OFC Futsal Championships in Suva.

Goalkeeper Atanui Tetihia was the hero for Tahiti, pulling off saves from Dylan Manickum and Daniel Koprivcic, as the Tahitians won the shoot-out 4-3, after the scores were tied 2-2 at full time and 3-3 after extra time.

In the other semi final, a stunning Solomon Islands side dismantled Vanuatu 13-1 to set up an intriguing final at the Vodafone Arena tonight.

Tahiti started the better of the two teams, blitzing the Futsal Whites with their speed and movement off the ball, while retaining possession at will.

It was no surprise when Gaby Kaivera put the Tahitians up one nil up in the eighth minutes, before a free kick from the excellent Michael Mahuri found its way underneath New Zealand goalkeeper Elias Billeh.
The shell-shocked Futsal Whites had no answer for the Tahitians high tempo rotation game and went to the break fortunate to only be 2-0 down.

It was a different Futsal Whites that emerged after the break and a slick Daniel Koprivcic finish from Dylan Manickum’s cross got the New Zealanders back on track. Nathan Robertson continued his outstanding tournament, sliding home a Marvin Eakins through ball to set up a dramatic last quarter.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock during a pulsating last ten minutes, so the teams went to extra time, with the Futsal Whites edging ahead late in the first period after a trademark Miro Major solo run and pass found skipper Eakins who tucked the ball away at the back post.

A Futsal Whites turnover with three minutes left on the clock was to prove costly however, and Tahiti counter attacked for Kaivera to slot home his second and set up the penalty shootout in a front of a packed stadium.

Both side missed their second penalty and then traded blows before Tetihia got down low to parry Koprivcic’s spot kick away.
Teivarii Kaiha then slammed home the winning penalty to take his side within forty minutes of emulating his country’s beach soccer team, who upset the Solomon Islands to qualify for the 2013 Beach Soccer World Cup.

The Futsal Whites will return to Vodafone Arena tonight to face Vanuatu in the play off for third and fourth.

OFC Futsal Championships 2011
Suva, Fiji
May 16-20
Winner qualifies for FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012
May 19, 2011

New Zealand 3 (Daniel KOPRIVCIC 24'27", Nathan ROBERTSON 29'01", Marvin EAKINS 44'25")

Tahiti 3 (Gaby KAVERA 8'18", 46'49"; Michel MAIHURI 22'27")
After extra time.
Fulltime: 2-2; Halftime: 0-2
Tahiti win 4-3 on penalties.

Final
Solomon Islands v Tahiti
Friday 20 May, 5pm
Vodafone Arena, Suva
Playoff for third
New Zealand v Vanuatu
Friday 20 May, 7.30pm
Vodafone Arena, Suva


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