Vanuatu beat the Solomon Islands 5-1 in an exhilarating final game of Match Day Five in the OFC Futsal Championship at the Vodafone Arena in Suva tonight.
The Championship has now become a three horse race with Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tahiti all capable of claiming a spot at the FIFA Futsal World cup in Brazil.
Vanuatu sit on top of the table with 12 points, with Tahiti second on 10 and Solomon Islands third on nine.
The largest crowd of the championship turned up to see an exciting end to end dual of two technically proficient teams who were out to attack.
Vanuatu drew first blood in the 16th minute when Louis Dominique broke down the right and fired a hard right footed shot in off a defender.
After halftime both teams came out firing and a series of missed chances for both teams had the 1500 strong crowd screaming in the aisles.
Vanuatu made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when Fedy Vava poked home from close range after a swift counter attack.
The loudest cheer of the night came when James Egeta pulled one back for the Solomon Islands three minutes later and the Solo fans tried to push their side towards an equalizer.
But the joy was short lived as tournament top scorer Jack Vira Ala restored the two goal lead before two goals in two minutes from Dominique and Terry Quare killed the game off.
Vanuatu coach Marcellino Barthelemy said that finally everything went right for his side.
“I am very very proud of our performance tonight. This was the business end and we did the business. But now we must look to tomorrow and an important game against Tahiti.”
Solomon Island coach Victor Wai’ia said his side did not stick to the game plan, though noted that they are by no means out of contention for the championship.
“Goal difference now becomes very important. For us, mentally we weren’t where we needed to be.”
The two teams embraced each other in a joint celebration at the end of the match to celebrate their friendship.”
“The Melanesian brothers got together to celebrate Futsal and each other’s progress in the sport,” said Wai’ia. “There is a real friendship between us and I appreciate Vanuatu are a good side.”
OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
|
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
| VAN |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
28 |
6 |
+22 |
12 |
| TAH |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
7 |
+10 |
10 |
| SOL |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
25 |
17 |
+8 |
9 |
| NZL |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
18 |
10 |
+8 |
6 |
| NCL |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
20 |
27 |
-7 |
4 |
| FIJ |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
27 |
-13 |
3 |
| TUV |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
-28 |
0 |
Photos by Marc Peretic Wilson
VAN: 1. Chikau MANSALE; 5. Fedy VAVA; 6. Derek MALAS; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE 10. Jack Vira ALA;
SUBS: 2. Terry QUARE; 3. Ben EDWARD; 4. Lui SIFAS; 7. Ben HUNGAI; 9. Siardon Mera TALKANAMAL; 11. Saen Wowut FANAI; 22. Daniel MANSALE (GK);
Coach: Marcellino BARTHELEMY (VAN)
Goals: 8. Louis DOMINIQUE 16’ 34’; 5. Fedy VAVA 24’; 11. Saen Wowut FANAI; 2. Terry QUARE;
SOL: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 8. Francis LAFAI; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA;
SUBS: 4. Alfred PUNGUIKA; 5. Jenan KAPU; 6. Maffat SIKW’AE11. Ron GINIO; 12. Jack WETNEY; 2. Phillip HOUTARAU; 13. StanleyPUAIRANA (RGK)
Coach: Victor WAI’IA (SOL)
Goals: 7. James EGETA 27;’
Referee: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
2nd Referee: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)
3rd Referee: Scott KIDSON (AUS)
Timekeeper: Francois TROLLIARD (NCL)
Referees’ Assessor: Neil POLOSO (SOL)