Tahiti have secured their place in the final of the 2026 OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup after defeating Solomon Islands 7-4 in an entertaining encounter at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae on Monday, 26 October, while New Caledonia recovered from a dramatic Vanuatu comeback to claim a crucial 7-5 victory.
The results leave the defending champions guaranteed a place in the championship decider on 31 October, with Solomon Islands and New Caledonia battling for the remaining spot as the group stage approaches its conclusion.
The Tiki Toa continued their impressive start to the competition, following their extraordinary 18-1 opening victory against Vanuatu with another high-scoring performance against their traditional regional rivals.
Solomon Islands had also begun the tournament strongly, defeating New Caledonia 10-5, but the meeting with Tahiti represented a considerably greater challenge for James Naka’s team.
The hosts made an immediate impact through captain Heimanu Taiarui, who opened the scoring inside the first minute with a spectacular volley.
However, the Bilikiki responded well, equalising through Roy Mafane’s powerful free kick before Adrian Mara put them ahead with a well-placed finish.
The lead was short-lived, as Heirauarii Salem took advantage of an error from Erick Wanega to bring Tahiti level. Taiarui then scored his second goal of the match to restore the home side’s advantage.
The contest remained competitive during the second period, with Albert Bobby scoring his first goal of the tournament to keep Solomon Islands in contention.
Nevertheless, Tahiti’s attacking quality eventually proved decisive.
Ro’onui Tinirauarii scored twice in quick succession to establish a 5-3 advantage, giving the hosts control heading into the final period.
The Solomon Islanders refused to surrender, and Wanega, who had scored a hat-trick against New Caledonia in the opening round, converted a penalty to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
The Central Coast goalkeeper, who plays as an outfield attacker for the national beach soccer team, has now scored four times in the tournament, continuing his impressive record with the Bilikiki.
With Solomon Islands pushing for another equaliser, Tahiti found the decisive response.
Tinirauarii completed his hat-trick after winning possession from Mara, before Tearii Labaste added a seventh goal in the closing stages to secure the 7-4 victory.
The result marked another important triumph for Tahiti against the Solomon Islanders, who have repeatedly challenged the Tiki Toa for regional supremacy but have not won the championship since 2013.
Tahiti, meanwhile, remain on course for a fourth consecutive continental title and a fifth overall, having established themselves as Oceania’s dominant beach soccer nation over the past decade.
The hosts have scored 25 goals across their opening two matches, with Salem contributing eight and Tinirauarii also emerging as one of the tournament’s leading attackers.
While Tahiti celebrated qualification for the final, the earlier encounter between New Caledonia and Vanuatu produced one of the competition’s most dramatic matches.
Both nations had suffered defeats on the opening day and entered their second fixture needing a positive result to remain in contention.
Vanuatu made the stronger start, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Sandy Mesau, but their advantage quickly disappeared as Germain Haewegene scored three times in rapid succession.
The New Caledonian attacker, who represented Tahiti United during the inaugural OFC Professional League season, demonstrated his attacking qualities on the sand, completing a first-period hat-trick to give his team a 3-1 lead.
New Caledonia continued to dominate early in the second period, with substitute Renaldo Teiva Nonmeu extending the advantage before Makaluë Xowi scored to make it 5-1.
At that stage, the match appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory for the New Caledonians, but Vanuatu produced an impressive response.
Kaven Charley reduced the deficit with a header before captain Alick August converted a rebound to make it 5-3 at the end of the second period.
August then took centre stage during the final period, scoring twice more to complete his hat-trick and bring Vanuatu level at 5-5.
Having surrendered a four-goal advantage, New Caledonia faced the possibility of losing a match that had appeared firmly under their control.
However, Xowi restored the lead with a powerful low free kick before Haewegene completed his outstanding individual performance with a fourth goal, sealing the 7-5 victory.
The result gave New Caledonia their first win of the tournament and kept their hopes of qualifying for the final alive.
Haewegene’s four-goal contribution was particularly significant for a player whose recent experience has largely come in conventional football.
The 2026 tournament marks New Caledonia’s return to Oceania’s beach soccer championship after seven years, and their victory over Vanuatu offers encouragement despite the defensive difficulties experienced during their opening two matches.
Vanuatu, meanwhile, have demonstrated considerable fighting spirit, particularly through August’s hat-trick, but their defeats against Tahiti and New Caledonia have left them preparing for the third-place playoff.
After two rounds, Tahiti lead with six points, followed by Solomon Islands and New Caledonia with three each. Vanuatu remain without a point.
The final group-stage fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October, with Solomon Islands facing Vanuatu before Tahiti meet New Caledonia.
For Solomon Islands, victory against Vanuatu would significantly strengthen their chances of reaching another continental final, although the outcome of New Caledonia’s encounter with the hosts will also be important in determining the final standings.
New Caledonia face a demanding challenge against a Tahitian team that has already secured qualification and demonstrated formidable attacking strength.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday, 31 October, with the third-place playoff followed by the championship final, whose winner will secure Oceania’s qualification place at the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
With Tahiti already confirmed as finalists, the remaining question is whether Solomon Islands can secure another opportunity to challenge their familiar rivals or whether New Caledonia can disrupt the region’s established beach soccer hierarchy.
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