OFC Futsal Nations Cup Final – Preview

Futsal Nations Cup is approaching to its end and the final match begins in a few hours. Solomon Islands and New Zealand confirmed their favoritism and will decide the championship soon. The champion will play 2020 Futsal World Cup that will be held in Lithuania.

Let’s see their campaigns until the final:

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Group Stage
Solomon Islands 13-2 Tonga
Solomon Islands 7-2 Tahiti
Solomon Islands 4-1 Fiji

Semi Final
Solomon Islands 5-1 New Caledonia

Top Scorers
🇸🇧 George Stevenson – 6 Goals
🇸🇧 Elliot Ragomo – 4 Goals
🇸🇧 Jeffery Bule – 4 Goals

NEW ZEALAND

Group Stage
New Zealand 9-0 American Samoa
New Zealand 8-1 Vanuatu
New Zealand 4-2 New Caledonia

Semi Final
New Zealand 3-2 Tahiti

Top Scorers
🇳🇿 Dylan Manickum – 6 Goals
🇳🇿 Micky Malivuk – 5 Goals

LAST OFFICIAL MEETINGS

Solomon Islands 4-1 New Zealand (2016 OFC Futsal Championship)
New Zealand 7-3 Solomon Islands (2013 OFC Futsal Championship)
Solomon Islands 8-4 New Zealand (2010 OFC Futsal Championship)

PREVIEW

Kurukuru has a very strong side coached by brazilian Vinicius Leite and they are looking for increasing their reign in Oceanian Futsal. On the other hand New Zealand wants to qualify for the Futsal World Cup for the first time ever.

Futsal Whites know that they have a difficult mission today but they are ready for this challenge. The two best teams in the continents reached the final and that is what New Zealanders have been waiting for so long.

“The Solomons want this, we want this and the Solomons are a great team. They are going to be tough to beat, they had a great preparation, they have a great coach, unbelievable players with experience at world cups over and over, so we have to rise to their level and then we have to show that we can beat them playing our style while try to manage how they play, so I’m looking forward to it” said Marvin Eakins (New Zealand player and head coach).

Kurukuru is already used to lift trophies and play World Cups so this experience can really make a difference in their favour but they know they need to stay focused on winning “As an experienced player, I am not underestimating any team in this competition […] I believe in the boys, specially what they have been through with Alex Argolo and the coach (Vinicius Leite). I really believe in them, we gonna do better” said Kurukuru’s player James Egeta.

New Zealand has the best defense in the competition with five goals conceded so far while Solomon Islands comes next with six suffered goals. The tough defense and the physical clashes can be decisive factors in difficult matches like this one might be.

Finals are always special and full of mysticism. Anyway, Solomon Islands has a stronger side and has some favouritism for today’s match.