Courtesy: Oceania Football


SOLOMON ISLANDS HEADING TO BRAZIL FOR FUTSAL WORLD CUP

Saturday, 14 June 08

The Solomon Islands will represent the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil in September after winning the OFC/Vodafone Futsal Championship in Suva tonight.

The Solomon’s only needed three points from their final game against Tuvalu after Tahiti defeated Vanuatu 2-1 in the opening game of the day.

They finished it off in style with a 12-0 win and earned a birth at their first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Micah Lea’alafa led the way with four goals while Elliot Ragomo, Jack Wetney and Francis Lafai scored two apiece. James Egeta and Alfred Punguika completed the rout with late goals.

Tahiti leapfrogged Vanuatu into second place and the silver medal with another inspirational performance, coming from behind to snatch the win in the last minute.

The wild celebrations of the Tahitians were in sharp contrast to the tears of the Vanuatu side who narrowly missed out on their world cup dream.

Fedy Vava opened the scoring in the 5th minute for Vanuatu before Michael Mahuri equalised just before halftime. Matana Bea snuck the winner in the final minute of the match and sent the Tahitian party into a celebrating frenzy.

Fiji collected their third win in the final match of the tournament with a 4-1 victory over New Zealand.

Fiji opened the scoring in the 31st minute when the tournaments golden boot – Kamal Hassan potted his 14th goal of the tournament.

New Zealand equalized in the 37th minute when Joshua Martin found the net before Assis Chand grabbed two goals in the space of a minute to turn the game back in Fiji’s favour. Muni Arvindra Naidu killed the game off with a goal in the last minute.


Championship Golden Boot
Kamal Hassan (FIJ) -> 14
Micah Lea’alafa (SOL) -> 12
Jack Vira Ala (VAN) -> 9
Bakr Al Saudi (NZL) -> 9
Elliot Ragomo (SOL) -> 8


Courtesy: Oceania Football


SOLOMON CLAIM FUTSAL TITLE WITH CONVINCING WIN

Saturday, 14 June 08

“It is a dream come true for the players to now be part of the World Cup Family. We are all filled with joy and excitement.”

Those were the emotional words of Solomon Island Coach Victor Wai’ia today, after his side won their first OFC Futsal Championship and with it a place at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil in September.

The Solomon Island team only needed a win against Tuvalu in their final game to clinch the title after Vanuatu had fallen 2-1 to Tahiti in the day’s earlier match.

They did it in style with a 12-0 win which brought emotional scenes from the young squad.

Micah Lea’alafa led the way with four goals while Elliot Ragomo, Jack Wetney and Francis Lafai scored two each. James Egeta and Alfred Punguika completed the win with late goals.

Wai’ia thanked all the teams at the tournament for a great tournament that he said will help their progress in rasing the bar to the next level.

“The loss against Vanuatu has inspired us to work harder. The level at the World Cup will be a lot higher than what we’ve been playing at so our training and planning from now will be very important.”

Wai’ia acknowledged the terrific crowd support his team received in Suva.

“The crowd here was great but also the support from back home helped us a lot. They have all been praying for us and I thank god for the strength he has given our side.”

“I think there will be a big crowd at the airport to welcome us home.”

“This team has achieved our original plan and I am so happy.”


OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIJI 2008

SOLOMON ISLANDs vs TUVALU

VODAFONE ARENA

SUVA

FIJI

SATURDAY 14 JUNE

SOL: 1. Alick LIOKA; 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA'ALAFA; 12. Jack WETNEY.

SUBS: 2. Philip HOUTARAU; 4. Alfred PUNGUIKA; 5. Jenan KAPU; 6. Moffat SIKWA'AE; 8. Francis LAFAI; 11. Ron GINIO; 13. Stanley PUAIRANA (rgk)

COACH: Victor WAI'IA

TUV: 22. Starchel SOLOSENI; 2. Felo FEOTO; 5. Mau PENINSULA; 8. Peniuna KAITU; 11. Imo FIAMALUA.

SUBS: 3. Tioti Maati TOAFA; 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 17. Neemia ONOSEMU; 19. Mahaga TEIAPUTI; 21. Maio ETIMANI.

COACH: Sami NEEMIA (TUV)

REFEREE: Francois TROLLIARD (NCL)
2nd REFEREE: Chris COLLEY (AUS)
3rd REFEREE: Allan ALICK (VAN)



Courtesy: Oceania Football


FIJI FINISH TOURNAMENT WITH WIN

Saturday, 14 June 08

Fiji closed the curtain on the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva with a 4-1 win over New Zealand in the final match of the tournament.

It was the third win of the championships for Fiji and provided some solace for Coach Imtiaz Khan and his squad after a grueling week of injuries and tired legs.

Fiji and New Zealand finished the tournament level on nine points but the kiwis snuck into fourth place with a better goal difference.

Fiji opened the scoring in the 31st minute when the tournaments golden boot – Kamal Hassan potted his 14th goal of the tournament.

New Zealand equalized in the 37th minute when Joshua Martin found some room to turn in the Tahiti box and fired home to create an exciting final three minutes.

Assis Chand then grabbed two goals in the space of a minute to turn the game back in Fiji’s favour before Muni Arvindra Naidu killed the game off with a goal in the last minute.


OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIJI 2008

FIJI v NEW ZEALAND

VODAFONE ARENA

SUVA

FIJI

SATURDAY 14 JUNE

FIJ: 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 6. Assis CHAND; 9. Kamal HASSAN;12. Nishad Wasim ALI (GK);

SUBS: 1. Azmat BEGG (RGK); 8. Muni Arvindra NAIDU; 10. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 11. Imtiaz BEGG;

COACH: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

ABSENT: 4. Alvin AVINESH; 5. Nayzal Siga Ali; 7. Vikash PRASAD;

NZL: 3. Andrew GWILLIAM; 4. Marvin EAKINS; 8. Joshua MARTIN; 19. Michael CORRINGHAM; 20. Clayton CHAPPELL (GK);

SUBS: 1. Elias BILLEH (GK); 5. Yukin NAIDOO; 12. Luke FIELD; 17. Victor ZAIA; 23. Gregory O’CONNOR; 10. Ouadhah RAGUED; 14. Bakr Al SAUDI;

GOALS: 8. Joshua MARTIN 9’, 17. Victor ZAIA 27’; 14. Bakr Al SAUDI 35’;

COACH: Erkin Osman (AUS)

REFEREE: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)
2nd REFEREE: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)
3rd REFEREE: Stephan PARAGE (NCL)


Courtesy: Oceania Football


TAHITI CLAIM SILVER WITH LAST MINUTE WIN

Saturday, 14 June 08

Tahiti secured second place in the OFC Futsal championship in Suva tonight with a gutsy 2-1 win over Vanuatu in their final match of the tournament.

Matana Bea was the toast of Tahiti when his last minute winner propelled his side over Vanuatu and into the silver medal spot.

For Vanuatu it brought an end to their World Cup dream and the wild celebrations of the Tahitians were in sharp contrast to the tears of the Vanuatu side.

Vanuatu went ahead in the fifth minute when Fedy Vava fired home from close range after a swift attack led by Derek Malas.

Tahiti have made a name for themselves at this tournament as a team who will fight to the death and defend with their lives. But they also have a very dangerous counter attack and Vanuatu found this out the hard way when Michel Maihuri equalised in the 16th minute following a swift break

The second half was an intense battle of attack versus defence. Vanuatu were in desperate need of a goal to keep their championship dream alive and controlled long spells of possession while Tahiti blocked everything that was thrown at them with a tight knit structurally sound defence.

As the clock wound down Vanuatu started taking more risks forward and Bea was able to capitalise with a clincal Tahitian counter attack with 10 seconds remaining.

The crowd made up of predominantly Solomon Island fans adopted Tahiti as their own as the game progressed and the Tahitian spirit and endeavour was inspiring for all involved.

As the final whistle sounded Tahiti erupted into a wild celebration before performing the Haka for the appreciative crowd.

Tahiti coach Rani Bea described the win as the proudest moment of his short Futsal coaching career.

“I have so much happiness in me right now, but most of all I want to thank God.

“Before the tournament I didn’t think we could go this far because we have never competed at this level before.

“But game after game we started to believe we could win the gold medal and to end up with the silver is just amazing.

“This will have a big impact on Futsal in Tahiti because now all the young people will believe that they can do it.”

“At the start of the tournament we had no one supporting us but by the end the whole stand was shouting for us. It is a moment I will never forget.”

OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIJI 2008

VANUATU vs TAHITI

VODAFONE ARENA

SUVA

FIJI

SATURDAY 14 JUNE

TAH: 1. Rehia DAVIO (gk); 3. Jimmy RIARIA; 4. Romeo PATIRA; 6. Michel MAIHURI; 10. Usiera PUKOKI.

SUBS: 2. Matana BEA; 5. Lysis TAUHA; 7. Steeven TINO; 8. Tetuanui TINOMOE; 9. Iorama BEA; 11. Amau TETUANUI; 12. Fernand TUANUA (rgk)

COACH: Rani BEA (TAH)

VAN: 1. Chikau MANSALE (gk); 3. Ben EDWARD; 5. Fedy VAVA; 6. Derek MALAS; 10. Jack Vira ALA.

SUBS: 2. Terry QUARE; 4. Lui SIFAS; 7. Ben HUNGAI; 8. Louis DOMINQUE; 9. Siardon Mera TALKANAMAL; 11. Saen Wowut FANAI; 22. Daniel MANSALE (rgk).

REFEREE: Scott KIDSON (AUS)
2nd REFEREE: Rajnish DAVE (FIJ)
3rd REFEREE: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)





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