Solomon Islands had a heavy loss with many mistakes against Paraguay and Oceania Football Center already talked about that. Even being already eliminated, Solomon Islands still has an opportunity to perform one more time at international level in this World Cup.
Mexico draw one match against Paraguay and lost another to Italy and they really need to win by a good margin of goals to qualify for Round of 16 and Solomon Islands can take advantage of it to play a good match.
Mexican team can become quite nervous if they do not manage to score in the beginning of the match, so the Young Bonitos need to be intelligent and have good mental focus on this match if they want to do something different on Sunday (Monday in Solomon Islands).
Oceania Football Center hopes that Solomon Islands coaching staff manage to correct some big problems they are having at the defensive end after they were pointed by us in this article.
Solomon Islands squad against Italy
The Young Bonitos should not give in and play hard against Mexico. Dear players, you still have something good to show and the whole world wants to see it. Give your best in the field because we will give our best to support you in Kleber Andrade Stadium.
Oceania Football Center will be present at the stadium and willing to help Solomon Islands by bringing a overview of the match from the grandstand in order to help to correct these defensive mistakes!
There will be only two matches this weekend. Anyway Oceania Football Center brings to you a preview of these clashes!
SOLOMON WARRIORS vs GUADALCANAL
Solomon Warriors has a big chance to collect three more points and remain on top. Guadalcanal won Real Kakamora in their last match but they will not be a challenge for Warriors. That is a good match for Warriors top scorers net more goals in the Golden Boot race.
HENDERSON EELS vs LAUGU UNITED
After losing the lead to Warriors, Henderson Eels needs to beat Laugu if they really want to keep close to their big rivals. Last weekend Laugu lost to Warriors by 5-0 but if they push hard so they may be a challenge for Eels. Anyway Eels is the clear favourite to win this match and collect three more points.
OFC Futsal Nations Cup is approaching to its end after the last matches played in New Caledonia. Oceania Football Center brings to you a report of what happened there!
FIJI 6-2 AMERICAN SAMOA
American Samoa was a good challenge to Fiji in the beginning of the match but they scored two own goals to give some advantage to Fiji that will face Vanuatu in 5th/6th play-off while American Samoa will probably finish as 7th place once Tonga lost to Vanuatu by walkover. The most curious (and also disrespectful) moment of the match was when it was used an American Samoa’s flag to dry the floor. Iosefo Verevou was the top scorer of the match with two goals.
People using American Samoa flag to dry the floor. Source: MyCujoo
TONGA 0-3 VANUATU (WO)
Tonga did not show up to the match because of medical problems. According to local players, most of them are injuried and are not able to play. It is something quite curious that should be checked. Have not Tongan players been undergone to medical tests before the tournament? Anyway Vanuatu advanced and will face Fiji in 5th/6th place match.
SOLOMON ISLANDS 5-1 NEW CALEDONIA
Kurukuru confirmed its favoritism and won New Caledonia. With two goals scored by George Stevenson, Solomon Islands National Futsal Team will play the final match and they might win the Futsal Nations Cup for the 6th time to become the team with most Nations Cup titles overcoming Australia.
George Stevenson celebrating a goal. Source: OFC Media
NEW ZEALAND 3-2 TAHITI
Tahiti has frightened New Zealnd and pushed them hard in this match after a 2-0 win in the first half but New Zealanders had a cold blood and managed to score three goals in two minutes to win the match and qualify for the final. Oban Hawkins was the highlighted player of the match scoring twice and leading New Zealand’s turnaround.
Oban Hawkins celebrating a goal. Source: OFC Media
New Zealand and Solomon Islands will battle for the trophy and for a spot at FIFA Futsal Nations Cup next year. The 3rd place match will have the both French Territories – Tahiti and New Caledonia – while Vanuatu and Fiiji will contest for the 5th place in the tournament.
To achieve success in any areas of our lives we really need to battle to reach the expectations we have. Although not always our efforts can guarantee us our aims, without trying the best we can we are surely not going to obtain what we are hoping for.
The football world might be cruel for many young men that dream to play professionaly and represent their nations in the most important tournaments worldwide – indeed, not many reach the high level required by the modern era of the sport, what does not mean they are going to give up and see where they can go.
Tommy Semmy, the prolific Hamilton Wanderers and Kapuls forward, is all about hardworking and he is clear example of those who suceeded. From those who follow football in Oceania, Semmy might be a commom name: already played his club football in his nome country Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and now in New Zealand – where he is at the peak of his carrer. The Papua New Guinea international is a physical gifted player, very strong and has the pace as one of its biggest marks as a football player. “I still keep working to achieve what I am aiming for“, says the strong-minded forward.
Semmy in his club Hamilton Wanderers – NZ Herald
Semmy scored 21 goals in his last stint with Wanderers in the NRFL Lotto Men’s Premier Division, the top scorer of the league – widely praised by local football analysts and fans – “It’s a great experience, I enjoy and learn a lot here“, says the player.
The PNG international sees differences from New Zealand football in comparison in places he played before in Oceania: “The difference is the management; New Zealand football is perfectly organised and these are the differences. The players from the other countries also have quality, but the poor management is the reason that makes us to be some steps behind New Zealand. Here there is a better structure“. Semmy also challenges the All Whites saying that his national team can beat them: “I remember when we played New Zealand in OFC Nations Cup, we draw that match so I know how they play. I am sure we can really beat them“.
Recently Semmy could not play the Pacific Games – that the New Zealand U23 team won – and he clarified the reasons he could not play for the Papua New Guinea National Team: “I had some issues with my visa here in New Zealand, so I could not leave the country at that moment.“
Semmy proved himself in New Zealand: in the previous edition of the ISPS Handa Premiership the Papua New Guinean scored ten times for his club and was almost chosen the MVP of the league, ending the list in the 2nd place losing it just for Maxime Oliveri of Hawke’s Bay United.
The fantastic records of the strong forward linked him with the unique full professional club of Oceania: the Wellington Phoenix. Before the starting of the 2019/20 A-League season, Semmy was called for trials with the Nix, but unfortunately the things just did not go so well for him: “Yes, I was called for trials there, I trained with the team but they did not get back to me after that. They may have their own reasons, what is understanble“. Despite not making it in this opportunity, Semmy keeps positive: “I keep working hard and I have faith something good is coming!“.
Since the top scorer of the last edition of NRFL Lotto Men’s Premier League did not have the chance he was looking for at Wellington Phoenix, he keeps his club football at Hamilton Wanderers which is close to start their campaign in the top tier of New Zealand Football: “We will go hard this season, we want to make at least the top four – you can expect more goals coming from me“, says Semmy regarding his expectations for the upcoming ISPS Handa Premiership. The forward also is full of praise for his coach, the football legend in New Zealand Ricki Herbert, former All Whites head coach that guided the national team to their last World Cup appearance: “He is a great coach, he has lots to give us. We just need to deliver what he says in the pitch“.
Semmy is a real case of a hardworker player that made it to another level – something rare for players from the other ten member associations of OFC. The Hamilton Wanderers star feels proud to be seem as a key figure for football in the Pacific: “It is a great opportunity for us to come here to develop – we are opening the doors for other countrymen. People like me, Roy Krishna, Brian Kaltak and Micah Lea’alafa are already opening the doors for the younger generations“. Semmy also adds some advices for the young footballers coming: “My training makes me who I am. The players need to be more disciplined to get their opportunities – they need to look after their body well and be always a hardworker“.
Semmy is one of the most outstanding names of Pacific Football in the recent years; his hardworking mentality made him one of the players to watch in the best league of Oceania. Semmy is still only 25 years old, there is still a long way for the Papua New Guinean international to reach even bigger milestones he already achieved.
Solomon Islands did not perform well and lost to Paraguay by 7-0. The Islanders had more ball possession (55%) but only had one shot on target during the whole game. Oceania Football Center goes deeper to bring an analysis about the Bonitos campaign in U17 World Cup.
The first thing that needs to be pointed is how Young Bonitos players have a huge lack on physical preparation compared to other national teams. Everything is more difficult when you are not prepared properly and it is the first big problem because it can take them to other problems and mistakes.
Other big trouble that needs to be pointed and corrected is the ball possession. Why keep passing the ball through the defense? Let’s be honest, Solomon Islands midfield is not able to create and keep the possession and the defenders are not prolific passers to break opponent’s defensive lines. Sometimes it is better to kick the ball forward than losing it in defense. Solomon Islands were many times in big troubles because they insisted on passing and passing and passing until losing possession and suffering a counterattack. Some good examples happened in Italy’s first goal and Paraguay’s sixth goal and you can check them in the highlights videos that are linked at the end of this article.
The midfield and defense are also leaving too much space to opponents. Defensive midfielders are not protecting the defensive line and there are lots of through balls behind the fullbacks, specially in the right side of the defense. A good example comes from Paraguay’s first gol against Solomon Islands today.
Other big defensive problem comes from crossing situations. Dear players, you need to look less to the ball and pay more attention to the opponents. Coaching staff please take a look at this, you can correct it for the next match. Here are some clear situations of this problem in the two matches:
The team is always making the same mistakes and it is not their fault. Coaching staff should have noticed it because all 12 goals suffered by Solomon Islands came from these three situations. Someone please send this post and the highlights to them! These situations did not happened only in the goals. This is the kind of thing that needs to be corrected with training, players need to know all this stuff before the kick-off.
Raphael Lea’i has been the most dangerous player, but he does need to touch more the ball. A great solution can be found by bringing him to the midfield. If midfielders cannot receive the ball and pass them well, why not placing the most skilled player as attacking midfielder to increase team’s offensive actions?
OCEANIA FOOTBALL CENTER SUGGESTION
Mexico lost to Italy and has only one point in group F. They really need to score a lot of goals against Solomon Islands if they want to qualify to round of 16. They will surely come with a high pressure in the first minutes of the match and Solomon Islands needs to hold their first 15 or 20 minutes of each half.
As we stated in this article, defense is being a big issue for Solomon Islands. Placing three defensive midfielders could be an interesting alternative to protect the defensive line and containing Mexican attack. These defensive midfielder could also cover the fullbacks when they run forward, just like in this picture below
Raphael Lea’i playing as trequartista (but with some defensive responsibilities) could be interest because of three reasons 1- The most skilled player would be closer to the defensive players, improving their capacity of creating (but not using short passes as their main strategy) 2- In “kick and rush” situations he has the possibility of taking the ball with an open field so he can run and assist to one of the two strikers 3- If Mexico really wants to score lots of goals they will probably not care a lot with Solomon Islands attack, so Lea’i could find some freedom between the defensive lines.
The two strikers would be helpful in kick and rush situations that should be more used by Solomon Islands. Kicking the ball forward is better than losing the ball and suffer a goal. These strikers can fight for the ball against rival’s centre backs to retain some possession in the attacking field.
Of course these things would not avoid Solomon Islands losses but at least they may not have suffered 12 goals in two matches. The gap between Europe/South America and Pacific Islands are huge and it is also because of football culture. Pacific Islands need to have more contact with the next level. The development is not only technical but also physical, tactical, mental and administrative. And that is the biggest difference between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. You cannot develop well if you still do the same old minded and outdated things.
You can check the highlights here (against Italy) and here (against Paraguay).
Oceania Football Center staff will be in Kleber Andrade to watch Mexico vs Solomon Islands. We will be there with a huge Solomon Islands flag to support them!
Solomon Islands made history qualifying for the U17 World Cup held in Brazil this year – we all know this would be a hard challenge for the young men from the Pacific Islands to face teams with much more experience in the world stage. Their first match in the tournament against Italy gave a clear picture of the different level they were facing – in comparison what they used to in Oceania.
Today their opponent was one of the most traditional South American teams – Paraguay – that came with a very interesting team for this tournament. La Albirroja draw their first match against Mexico in a 0-0 result and they know they really needed a win with the biggest margin possible against the young Bonitos.
The match could not start worse for the islanders: Junior Noguera found the nets after a defensive mistake – the same ones that happened against Italy – after a fantastic pass. The foward just lobbed Davidson Malam and put his team upfront in the 3th minute of play.
The Paraguayans celebrate their first in U17 World Cup
The Islanders managed to control their emotion and kept the possesion of the ball. Some plays by Raphael Lea’i could cause some danger to Paraguayan defense before conceding. Paraguay also had some chances to score but they went all wasted.
The starting eleven of Solomon Islands; four changes in the starting eleven
Just before the final whistle in the first half, Matias Segovia received the ball in the area and finished it just between the legs of Malam to score their second goal of the match. Segovia received the pass in a play constructed by the Paraguayan side after another defensive mistake of the islanders giving way the ball in their defensive field.
The first half finished with a respectable 2-0 scoreline in favour of the South American team. Despite of some mistakes, the Pacific Islanders could manage well the ball and kept the head above the water – if they could score one goal they would come back to the contest.
The history was pretty different: the nightamare for the OFC representatives started in the 65th minute of play when Diego Torres finished an easy counter-attack for the Paraguayans. Another huge defensive mistake by Solomon Islands, going in numbers upfront for a corner and allowing the South Americans to have loads of space to finish the play with only two defenders of Solomon Islands trying to stop them.
Even the well performer Davidson Malam would give away a goal for the opposite side when he failled to catch the ball and gifted it to Fernando Presentado that easily found the nets. It was 4-0 in the 68th minute of the game.
Paraguayans celebrate another against Solomon Islands
Another defensive mistake allowed the Paraguayans to score a 5th goal. Fabio Barrios received the ball unmarked inside the area after a cross and just with a touch put the ball in the nets in the 78th minute.
The islanders hold the the margin for 10 minutes, the same 5-0 defeat they had against Italy was happening against Paraguay until they suffered more two goals in two minutes: the Olimpia striker Diego Duarte scored another with an easy finish, allowed due an unstructured defensive system of the islanders that gave a lot of spaces. Diego Torres managed to score another before the end of the game with a ball lost in defense by Solomon Islands players making the final scoreline to end 7-0 – a huge defeat for the OFC U16 Nations Cup runners-up.
Despite being a debutant in the tournament, the Solomon Islands team should have done better in this particular match: very weak tactical instructions allowed the opposite team to have many gaps in their defense. It shows exactly where the Oceania team needs to work the most: defense. The defenders allowed many men unmarked and the scoreline could be even bigger if Davidson Malam did not make some stops. A terrible second half allowed Paraguay side to score five times in only 25 minutes.
Solomon Islands is the team that suffered most goals in the competition so far: twelve. They are also still to score their first goal in this stage. They will have their last shot in the tournament next Sunday 8pm BRT at Kléber Andrade stadium against Mexico – 10am on Monday (Solomon Islands time).
Port Vila Premier League fourth round begins on this Friday with a match between Ifira Black Bird and Yatel. Oceania Football Center brings a preview for the weekend’s round in Vanuatu!
IFIRA BLACK BIRD VS YATEL
Ifira Black Bird looks for another win while they remain unbeaten. They are also the only team that have not conceded a goal in this Premier League. Despite being favourites they are going to face a determined Yatel who is focused on winning their first match in this league. Both teams clashed in Opening Cup group stage and Ifira BB won by 3-0. Will they win again or Yatel can break the predictions?
Ifira Black Bird squad
GALAXY VS SIA-RAGA
Galaxy wants to retake the lead of the league after a 2-2 draw against Erakor Golden Star last weekend. Sia-Raga is being a competitive team this season and can be an interesting challenge for Galaxy but they are going to have a difficult mission of stopping Galaxy’s attacking. Kensi Tangis, James Naka, Roberson, Henry Namatak, Gabriel and Bong Kalo are hungry to score more goals and beat Sia-Raga.
Galaxy squad against Erakor Golden Star
MAUWIA VS TUPUJI IMERE
Two winless teams looking for a win. Mauwia has just scored one goal so far while Tupuji Imere have not netted yet. Both teams are desperated for three points in order to avoid relegation. Can Tupuji Imere finally score and win or Mauwia will take the three points home?
Tupuji Imere squad against Yatel
TAFEA VS ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR
The biggest clash of this weekend! Erakor Golden Star showed to Galaxy that they are a real contender to win Premier League after an amazing 2-2 draw last weekend. Tafea currently leads the league with three win in three matches and they really want to remain on top leaving Galaxy behind. Tafea and Erakor also clashed in Opening Cup group stage and Tafea won by 2-0. Players and coaching staff are aware it is a very difficult match for them but they are ready for the challenge. “The game against Erakor is not going to be easy, Erakor has improved and play much better then during the Opening cup.” said Robert Calvo, Tafea’s manager. Can Erakor Golden Star hold Tafea to get even closer to the title’s race?
Erakor Golden Star squad against Galaxy
There are also four matches of First Division (Second tier) this weekend Seveners United vs Easton (played on Thursday) Shepherds United vs North Efate United United Malampa vs AS Ambassador Mauriki vs Pango Green Bird
Oceania Football Center wishes good luck too all teams in this weekend!
Despite losing to Italy by 5-0 in the debut, Solomon Islands showed some positive things in the opening match and comes to this game very focused on facing Paraguay in a good level.
Paraguay drew with Mexico in the first round of the group stage and now they are looking for a win to come closer to the Round of 16. Most of their players still play in Paraguay except defender Santiago Ocampos who plays at Juventus Academy in Italy.
Solomon Islands had some big defensive problems in the opening round and the coaching staff must have worked on correcting these issues. With some skilled players in offense, this game may be the biggest opportunity for Solomon Islands score a goal in this World Cup.
Solomon Islands squad against Italy
Raphael Lea’i showed some talent against Italy and he can be a threat to Paraguayan defense if he keeps the ball possession with some open field. Goalkeeper Malam also had a good day last match and Leon Kofana was the best defensive player of the team. As we said in the Italy 5-0 Solomon Islands review a team is made by eleven players but eleven players not necessarily make a team. The Islanders need to come more organized and aware of the risks specially in defense otherwise they are going to suffer another heavy loss.
Solomon Islands’ fans and supporters must not be disappointed. The World Cup pushes these young players to a level that they never met before and it the difficulties they are facing in Brazil are completely understandable. Keep on supporting and be proud of them for taking Solomon Islands’ flag to a field football World Cup for the first time ever.
The match is scheduled to begin on 1st November at 7am in Solomon Islands time. Stay tuned on us because Oceania Football Center will provide a livestreaming in this website.
The current OFC Champions League and Coupe de Calédonie winners Hienghène Sport is looking for a third title in their fantastic season. Mobil Super Ligue – the top tier of football in New Caledonia – is just one win away of the club created in 1997 and based in the Hienghène province in the north of New Caledonia.
After a heartbreaking loss in the last round of Mobil Super Ligue against their rivals of AS Magenta by a 2-1 margin, Hienghène lost the chance to seal the title – they needed just one draw against Magenta but were reduced to ten men in the second-half after the second yellow of their midfielder Cédric Sansot, suffering a very disappointing goal in the 92th minute to postpone their title aims. Hienghène is still very close to the national league glory, they only need a win in the following two matches of the competition and the rivals Magenta need to win their both games remaining to make Hyehen end the competition as runners-up.
All matches of the round will be played on Saturday, with Tiga Sport vs Hienghène Sport and AS Wetr vs AS Magenta being telecasted and livestreamed by Caledonia TV – you can watch both matches in their YouTube Channel.
Trio Kedeigne and AS Lössi will battle at Stade Hnassé in Lifou for all points; Trio desperate needs a win to help them fight against the relegation, they have lost a crucial match against ES Wacaele in the last round and now really need to fight back playing at their home ground. Trio hopes their top scorer in the league can help them in this duty – Jordan Wetria already scored seven this season. It is also important to remember Trio Kedeigne has one match in dispute against AS Mont-Dore that is still under review by FCF referee commission.
AS Lössi comes from a hard match against AS Wetr in their previous game, they could score early in the game but suffered a very disappointing goal after conceding a penalty in the injury time of the second-half. The team in orange really needs a good performance of their key man Ludwig Zeoula, Shaffy Mandaoue and Pierre Kauma if they want more points in the standings – what they really need because they still have mathematical chances to drop into the relegation positions.
ES Wacaele and SC Ne Drehu will face each other in Stade de La Roche this weekend. SC Ne Drehu does not have any more risks to be relegated for the New Caledonian Ligue 2 – what is not the case of the home side ES Wacaele. SC Ne Drehu confirmed their presence in the next edition of New Caledonia top tier last weekend when they draw against Horizon Patho. The club will hope to get more points in the table to reach the 3rd spot counting with some important players as Lionnel Thanaena and Willy Waheo.
Wacaele had a fantastic result against Trio Kedeigne last round, an instrumental 1-0 victory that kept them above the water and send them to the 9th place. A win at home against SC Ne Drehu can mean much for the team in their fight against relegation – they will hope their top goalscorer Nemia Nemia score more in this very important match for them.
Tiga Sport and Hienghène Sport will make the most important match of the round since Hienghène can seal their title with a win in this game. Away from home, the current Oceania champions will not count with the prolific goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine and the international defensive midfielder Cédric Sansot. Both of them were sent off in the previous match against AS Magenta, where Hienghène lost their first match in the league season. Bertrand Kaï will need to be more than important ever to secure the goals for his side, defensively Émile Bearuné can help the team from the north, while the always important Roy Kayara and Brice Dahité can help the offensive players to create goalscoring opportunities.
Tiga still wants to get the 3rd place in the stadings at the end of the season, so a good result against the national powerhouses would mean a lot for them in this match. To disturb the possible chances to secure the national title for their opponents, Tiga Sports will hope to count with the goals of their top goalscorer in the league Lues Waya.
Hienghène Sport just need a win to clinch the title
AS Wetr will face AS Magenta at Stade Numa Daly hoping to improve from their last match – the 1-1 draw against AS Lössi – to defend their 3rd place in the table. The team in blue and white could just level the match in the final minutes of the game with a spot kick. The striker Germain Haewegene and Eugene Sakilia are the main offensive players for AS Wetr while defensive their key man to stop AS Magenta firepower is Enrick Bouanaoue.
AS Magenta will already know when their match start the round if they already have title chances or not – it all depends if Hienghène win Tiga Sport or not. The club based in Nouméa already is qualified for the OFC Champions League since they can not be reached by any other teams in the table, so their 2nd place is guaranteed if they can not get the title again as they did in the previous season. With the injured Richard Sele and Jean-Christ Wajoka out of the game, Kevin Nemia, the scorer of the goals that saved the chances of title to the team in the decisive clash against Hienghène in the last weekend, might be the key man for his side. Leon Wahnawe can be another important player for the runners-up of the last edition of OFC Champions League.
AS Mont-Dore will play at home against Horizon Patho hoping to improve their record this season, of what is a sure very disappointing season for them. Mont-Dore have the likes of Cédric Decoire, Raphaël Oiremoin and Joseph Tchako in their squad, all of them international players for New Caledonia. Despite this good names in the team, they are sitting now only in the 7th place in the table with 34 points. The team also has one game in dispute at FCF Referee Commission that was against Trio Kedeigne, so they still have a chance to add more points to the table. Anyway, they can not count with it: they still have mathematical chances to drop into relegation zone positions and it would not really be well seem for a team with so many tallents.
Horizon Patho has a very slight chance to drop for the relegation playoff spot and to avoid they might be looking for important points playing this away game against AS Mont-Dore. The young central defender Jean-Baptiste Caroine and their number 10 Pierre Wawia will really to be in form to avoid a defeat in this clash against a Mont-Dore willing to improve their records in a season they are in debt with their fans.
The results of this round will mean a lot for the decisive moments of Mobil Super Ligue. Can AS Magenta still stun the title chances of Hienghène after their heroic win against them last weekend? We are going to need to wait for the matches to see the outcome of the exciting clashes!
The OFC Futsal Nations Cup group stage had their last four matches and now the decisive part of the tournament is nearing. Next Friday in New Caledonia we will have the two most important matches of the competition until the present moment: no surprises in both groups happened, since New Zealand and New Caledonia topped the Group A and in the Group B Solomon Islands and Tahiti will be in the semi-finals.
In the last round of group stage matches we had until now the biggest goal margin – and also the game with most goals of the tournament -, a decisive match for the hosts against New Zealand, the first win of Vanuatu in the competition and a hard fought match of Solomon Islands against Fiji.
Olivier Hirihiri scored five in the emphatic Tahiti win over Tonga – OFC Media
Tahiti started the day in Arène du Sud with a very big win against Tonga – indeed, very big. The Tahitian side demolished the debutants in the tournament by a hummiliating 24-2 margin. Tonga could manage to score two more goals in the competition and their number 10 Laulea Taufa turned into the top goalscorer of Tonga Futsal in history with one more added in this match – 3 in total. Conceding 24 goals is something the players from the Kingdom will really need to improve. Olivier Hirihiri scored five of those and four others came from own goals from Semisi Otukolo – that scored incredible two own goals -, Hemaloto Polovili and even the goalscorer Laulea Taufa.
In the second match of the day Vanuatu recorded their first win of the tournament with an easy 10-3 victory over American Samoa. Note for the first goals ever for the American Samoans in a senior Futsal tournament – the first from the young Gabriel Taumua and the other two coming from Takai Pouli and Austin Kaleopa. The hattrick from the Ni-Vanuatu number 8 Sandy Mesau helped his side to record their first win in the competition.
Sandy Mesau hepled his country with three goals against American Samoa – OFC Media
In the most entertaining match of the day, the current champions Solomon Islands faced Fiji; the Fijians needed a win if they wanted still to qualify for the semi-finals – despite their duty was almost impossible due the big margin of goals Tahiti scored against Tonga. Fiji displayed a very good defensive formation that made it dificult for Solomon Islands firepower. The Fijians scored first with a shot by Shahil Dave, but just after scoring the deadlock was broken by the Kurukuru with a goal coming from Alwin Hou.
Even before the half-time, James Egeta scored for the reigning champions and completed the comeback. In the second half Charles Otainao scored the third and after a superb shot from their defensive box of Osifelo, the Fijian goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva unfortunately sent the ball to his own nets. The final result gave the Solomon Islands their third victory in three games.
Despite losing, Fiji can be praised for their performance against Solomon Islands – after losing by 11-1 against Tahiti they could reduce the best team in the group to only 4 goals. Most of this result is due the great performance of the goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva and the captain Setareki Hughes.
James Egeta scored the second goal of Solomon Islands against Fiji – OFC Media
In the final match of the group stage, the hosts New Caledonia counted with their local fans to face New Zealand. The Futsal Whites shown their strength against the Cagous winning them by 4-2. The hosts went in front in the scoreline through a goal of Jean-Philippe Sele, but not much after the veteran Micky Malivuk scored for the New Zealand team to equalize the match.
New Zealand’s most important player, Dylan Manickum, scored a brace still in the first-half to make it 3-1 – the second a very beautiful goal with a class finish. The other two goals from the match came just before the end of the game, Josh Margetts added another for the Futsal Whites and Aser Xuma scored a consolation goal for the locals to give the final numbers in the score.
Futsal Whites won their three matches in the group stage – OFC Media
After a very entertaining three-days competition in the group stage, we are approaching the decision of the tournament: the semi-finals will tell which teams will compete at the grand final, the grand-finalists will battle for not for the trophy, but as well for a spot in the next year FIFA Futsal World Cup.
The games scheduled for semi-finals – Solomon Kurukuru Futsal
Not only the semi-final contests will be played next Friday (01/11) in New Caledonia: the 5-8th position playoff will take place in the first matches of the day: American Samoa will face Fiji, while Vanuatu will face Tonga. Both the winners will contest for the 5th place in the competition, while the losers will play for the 7th place. It is good initiative by Oceania Football Confederation to introduce these additional matches to the tournament – it will give more game time to nations that rarely get international exposure as Tonga and American Samoa. Currently Tonga does not have a Futsal National League in its nation, so these more two matches in the tournament are a huge chance for them to look for better days in the sport.
Top Goalscorers of OFC Nations Cup before the Semi-Finals:
Oceania Football Center 