It was the first title for the hosts who secured an emphatic 5-3 win over the Oceania side, and ended Tahiti’s fairytale run.
Reaching their first final in just their third appearance at the tournament the Tiki Toa were on the back foot from the first kick of tha game. It couldn’t have been a better start for the hosts, with Madjer firing in straight from the kick-off – not for the first time this past ten days – to register the fastest goal of the tournament in just three seconds.
Tahiti were already three goals down when they rediscovered their goalscoring form through Tearii Labaste and Raimana Li Fung Kuee who both fired in to send a ripple of tension throughout the arena.
They pushed for an equaliser but Bruno Novo reinstated the two-goal advantage. Li Fung Kuee struck agai for his side but, with the goal gaping, missed a gilt-edged chance to bring them level for the first time since kick-off and with just 48 seconds left Portugal’s Alan was on hand to wrap up the victory for the hosts.
They may have missed out on the main trophy, but the Tiki Toa did not go home empty handed as Heimanu Taiarui nabbed the coveted Golden Ball and Jonathan Torohia the Golden Glove.
Taiarui truly came into his own in his third Beach Soccer World Cup campaign. In addition to keeping a tight rein on opposition players, the 29-year-old defender showed plenty of personality to rouse his team-mates when the going got tough and also contributed four goals and six assists.
All in all, he was one of the key figures in a Tahiti side that sparkled in Portugal, making him a logical choice for the accolade.
Just like his team, Torohia has progressed spectacularly since his maiden outing at Ravenna 2011 and stepped it up a level in Portugal. The 30-year-old goalkeeper frequently has his work cut out for him because of Tahiti’s buccaneering attacking style.
Indeed, while his reflexes and athleticism are of vital importance, so too is his creativity with the ball, as demonstrated by the fact that he served up four assists. The custodian’s impressive displays make him a worthy winner of the adidas Golden Glove at his third Beach Soccer World Cup.
For more on the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 visit FIFA.com

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