Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Kurukuru flies into final with Tahiti today

by Carlos Aruafu

Friday, 20 May 2011

The Kurukuru team has moved a step closer to confirming their ticket for FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand after a thrilling 13-1 finish against its semi final rival Vanuatu last night at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

They will be playing Tahiti who for the final playoff today.

Tahiti earned their place in today’s final with a penalty shoot-out win over New Zealand after the scores were locked at 3-3 following extra-time.

The Kurukuru will be facing another daunting challenge as they take on the strong defensive Tahiti side today.

During their recent encounter two days ago the Kurukuru side only managed to score one goal against Tahiti.

Tahiti's goalkeeper will once again be instrumental today in the final showdown as he helped his side restrict the goals to just 1-0 equal to table toppers Solomon Islands in their group match.

With goalkeeper Teva Durot in inspired form, it looked like Tahiti had done enough to go into the sheds on level terms but Micah Lea'alafa ensured that wouldn't be the case when, to the delight of the fanatical Kurukuru fans crammed inside Vodafone Arena, he swept home a pass from captain Elliot Ragomo in the 19th minute.

Tahiti coach Heitapu Hunter said his team had a lot of pressure to win after their beach soccer side qualified for the World Cup earlier this year.

He added that second or third will not be acceptable.

“The Solomon Islands are a very good side but our beach soccer team has reminded us that anything is possible," he said.

This leaves the question; will this be another repeat of the beach soccer final? The Kurukuru team does not think so.

Prior to their departure for Fiji last wek, Kurukuru captain Elliot RAgomo strongly stressed that they will not repeat what happened to the beach soccer team, Bilikiki, the U20, Mamulas or the U17, Katukatus.

Dickson Kadau admitted after their match with Tahiti that they (Tahiti) have a very good defensive style of play.

"The result may not have been good but it is another win and we will build on this. Tahiti are a very good defensive side, they have some size and were very committed in their defence,” said the Solomon Islands coach Dickson Kadau.

The Kurukuru today are looking forward for their fourth consecutive win of the OFC futsal championship and a ticket for Thailand for the FIFA futsal World Cup.

The Kurukuru boys showed why they are the best in the region, scoring the 13 goals in the semi final match to claim the final spot playoff with Tahiti today.

The young experienced players were all impressive and Coach Dickson Kadau was the happiest man after his side regained their high scoring abilities.

Micah opened the scoring galore followed by Elliot Ragomo in quick succession that quickly drops the morale of the Vanuatu side.

The first stanza ended with scores locked at 8-0 in favour of the Kurukuru team.

The second stanza followed a similar pattern with the Kurukuru boys continuously disturbing the Vanuatu defense with their stylish sneaky play which contributed a lot in mounting more pressure on the Vanuatu side.

Kurukuru flew higher in the second half which then saw them bag five more goals.

Vanuatu regained some pride scoring their only goal of the match just after the second half kickoff time.

In other action yesterday, Fiji beat New Caledonia 8-6 for the fifth and sixth spot playoff while Tahiti upset New Zealand 7-6 to consign the Tahitians to the final playoff against Kurukuru.

Tuvalu meanwhile finished in seventh place followed by Kiribati.

The match kicks off at 6:30pm this afternoon.


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