Vodafone Arena in Suva will play host to the event until its finale on Friday, when the Oceania qualifier for the World Cup will become known, and futsal fans across the Pacific do not have to wait long to take in some intriguing match ups.
The first day of action is likely to bring with it plenty of drama as Tahiti, whose players will be in inspired mood after watching their beach soccer counterparts earn the Oceania title in February, face underdogs Tuvalu before a skilful Vanuatu side meets newcomers Kiribati.
Favourites Solomon Islands will then take centre stage against New Caledonia but the highlight of the opening day will undoubtedly be the clash between title frontrunners Fiji and New Zealand, a match that could prove crucial to the eventual outcome of Group A.
New Zealand’s Futsal Whites have featured in the top placings at this tournament in previous years but have seldom seriously threatened to take the title and have been overshadowed by the likes of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.
But coach Matt Chandler feels this year’s event offers his charges their best ever chance of qualifying for the World Cup and has named a squad that looks capable of fulfilling his lofty ambitions. Several key performers from the 2010 campaign, such as captain Marvin Eakins, striker Mickey Malivuk and playmaker Miro Major, have returned to the fold and this core of experience has been supplemented by some exciting fresh faces, most notably that of striker Daniel Koprivic.
The Auckland City man was named the best player of the 2011 O-League as his side took the title and, if he can transfer this form across to the court, could be one of the tournament’s stand-out performers.
Skipper Eakins, whose sharp passing and determined tackling makes him a key figure for Chandler, thinks the squad is the strongest he has been involved with and also possesses the necessary belief to topple the Solomon Islands off their crown.
“The squad gets stronger and stronger with every campaign. There is a definite belief that we can make the World Cup,” he says.
“But there are some quality teams also trying to achieve that same goal. The quality in our players physically and mentally will be what gets us through.”
Fiji also have plenty of quality in their ranks though and are just as determined to finally earn that elusive first title.
Coach Intiaz Khan says the team is ready to face a tough test against New Zealand.
“This is the best preparation we’ve had for a futsal championship so I’m expecting good performances from the team,” says Khan, who also coached the Fiji beach soccer side earlier this year.
“The players are looking forward to the first game against New Zealand, especially the ones that remember losing to them last year. We didn’t expect to lose so this a revenge match for us.”
Fijian defender Rajnesh Raju is making his debut appearance at the event and is determined to mark the milestone with a championship win.
“My aim is simple,” he says. “I am going to go out there and give 100 per cent to help Fiji qualify for the futsal World Cup. I want to go to Thailand and I think we have a very good chance of earning the spot.”
Raju has an added incentive to perform well as Fiji look to give the home fans something to cheer about.
“I was dropped from the training squad last year but I have now been presented with another chance to go out there and prove myself.”
Talisman Kamal Hassan has again been named captain and will lead the side with vice-captain Sandeep Nair. Hassan agrees that the time is right for Fiji to take pole position on the podium.
“The boys are ready for the task that lies ahead of us and we will do our best to make the country proud,” he says.
Of the other day one matches, most interest will centre on the Solomon Islands as they look to get their goal of a fourth straight championship win underway against New Caledonia.
“We are the defending champions and everybody will want to defeat us,” coach Dickson Kadau says. “Our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
The Kurukuru, as they are known by their fanatical fans, will be wary that holding the tag of favourites does not always guarantee success, having seen the Bilikiki, the nation’s beach soccer team, fall to a shock loss against Tahiti in the final of February’s OFC Beach Soccer Championship.
That event was likewise a World Cup qualifier and the Kurukuru will be desperate to make sure the Solomon Islands, a nation reknowned for its passion for the world game, will be represented in at least one upcoming FIFA event.
But New Caledonia have also worked hard over the past 12 months under coach Eric Michalak.
“The majority of the group is the same since last year so now I can say we have some good experience and I think we are more physically prepared,” says Michalak.
“Of course, the Solomon Islands are the favourites but we are confident of finishing in the top two in our group and going through to the semi-finals.”
All 18 matches of the OFC Futsal Championship will stream live online at www.oceaniafootball.com
OFC Futsal Championship
Day One
Tahiti vs Tuvalu, 1pm local time
Vanuatu vs Kiribati, 3pm local time
Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia, 5.30pm local time
Fiji vs New Zealand, 7.30pm local time