OFC Beach Soccer 2007 - Matches

VANUATU………………..…2
SOLOMON ISLANDS….......3

Vanuatu inflicted a similar opening day defeat of the eventual tournament champions but this time around the achievement was made more special after Jean Maleb and his team fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

Solomon Islands hero James Naka opened his beach soccer account with a sensational double strike.

However, the Bilikiki Boys joy was short-lived when the Masauvakalo brothers combined to set up a grandstand finish scoring twice in quick succession for Vanuatu to draw the game level.

Both teams missed gilt-edged chances in the dying moments of the third period and just as the match appeared headed for a draw, up popped Vanuatu’s Derek Malas to score the winner with just 15 seconds remaining.

TAHITI…………………...….9
NEW ZEALAND…………...5

Tahiti got their campaign off to a flying start with Teva Zaveroni smashing four goals past an inexperienced New Zealand side as the French-Polynesians cruised to a convincing 9-5 win.

New Zealand´s Daniel Ellensohn chimed in with a debut hat-trick for the Kiwis but it wasn´t enough as Thierry Qaeze, Billy Mataitai, Raimana Lee Fung Kuee, Johann Pentillon and an own goal, ironically scored by the otherwise impressive Ellensohn, rounded off the scoring.

Nathan Fry and Michael Gwyther were New Zealand´s other goalscorers.

VANUATU..........................10
TAHITI…………………………………….5
Vanuatus 10-5 victory over Tahiti gaurenteed the Melanesian nation a second consecutive final appearance.

Although the tournaments leading goal-scorer Tahitian Teva Zaveroni helped himself to another four goal haul, Vanuatu always looked in control with the Fenedy Masauvakalo and Ken Masauvakalo responding with seven goals between them as Tahiti fell apart.

A double from Seule Soromon and one from Simon Sam were enough to quell any hopes of victory for Tahiti. Raimana Lee Fung Kuee scored Tahiti´s fifth goal.

NEW ZEALAND.............................3
SOLOMON ISLANDS……………4

New Zealand were eliminated after losing in heartbreaking circumstances to Solomon Islands.

New Zealand, leading 3-2 after the second period thanks to goals from Michael Munday, Dean Johnston and Nathan Fry, let slip a historic victory when Henry Koto scored a scintillating hat-trick to draw the match level.

With time running out, it was Solomon Islands 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hero James Naka who pounced to grab a last gasp winner for his country on the day they celebrated their Independence Day.

Despite the loss, New Zealand dominated the match for long periods with the key difference between the two teams simply a matter of experience in this form of football.

TAHITI...................3

SOLOMON ISLANDS........5

The Bilikiki Boys hit their straps at just the right time after James Naka (2) and Henry Koto (2) hit braces that leveraged Solomon Islands into the OFC Beach Soccer Championship Final - New Zealand 2007. Tahiti goalscoring hero Teva Zaveroni tried his best to keep his team in the hunt adding a further two goals to his championship haul but it wasn't enough. Benjamin Mela sealed Tahiti's fate awith George Pitoeff scoring a consolation for the French-Polynesians.

NEW ZEALAND.........8

VANUATU 10

Eighteen goals rained in from all corners of Narrow Neck Beach Soccer complex as New Zealand traded blows with Vanuatu. Kiwi hero Nathan Fry scored a hat-trick, Stuart Hogg a brace, with Daniel Ellensohn (1), Dean Johnston (1) and Michael Gwyther (1) all on target for the host nation. Vanuatu's experience won through despite their defensive generosity and Kiwi doggedness with Simon Sam (4) and Seule Soroman (4) helping themselves to four goals-a-piece. Ken Masavaukolo slotted home a brace, enough to eliminate the brave Kiwis and send Vanuatu into their second consecutive final.

OFC BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP 3^rd/4^th PLAYOFF – NEW ZEALAND 2007

NEW ZEALAND………………………5
TAHITI………………………….………3

In the earlier game, New Zealand in their first ever Oceania event defeated Tahiti 5-3 to take third place.

"This tournament has been an overwhelming success," said OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas, "We wanted to introduce this format of football to the New Zealand football public and we have heard nothing but positive feed back. We (OFC) are delighted with the outcome and potential of this form of football to make an impact in New Zealand."

Tournament sponsors such as Cue Sports Foundation, Lotto, Ole Ole.com, North Shore City Council, Vuksich and Borich expressed an interest to be involved in future editions of this tournament.

OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2008 will be shifted to February next year in the North Shore as part of an agreement to be signed between North Shore City Council and OFC to have the event in the city until 2010.

OFC BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL – NEW ZEALAND 2007

SOLOMON ISLANDS…………….......5
VANUATU……………………………..3

The Bilikiki Boys from Solomon Islands are once again OFC Beach Soccer Champions after beating Vanuatu 5-3 after a pulsating encounter on the winter-blasted North Shore in Auckland today.

In a dramatic afternoon`s action at Narrow Beck beach Solomon Islands held their nerve as Vanuatu mounted a stirring comeback after falling 2-0 behind within minutes of the kickoff.

Vanuatu's hopes were alive and kicking when they pulled back the deficit to 4-3 until chief goal predator James Naka struck a decisive fifth goal for Solomon Islands that quashed any hopes of a comeback and sent fans of the Bilikiki Boys into a state of delerium.

Solomon Islands victory means a second successive OFC Beach Soccer Championship title and a return visit to the glamorous Copacabana for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007.