As Oceania Beach Soccer fans prepare for day three action at the Tahiti Nui Championship on Moorea Island, OFC profiles the man whose two goals dragged his team to a 5-4 extra time win over Fiji on Tuesday, Vanuatu’s Seimata Chillia.

Age: 26

 

Hometown: Port Villa

 

Beach Soccer club?

Tupuji FC.

 

Favorite food?

Fish, especially Tuna.

 

Favorite music/musician?

Reggae, Lucky Dube may he rest in peace.

 

How many OFC Beach Soccer Championships have you played at?

 

This is my third – 2006, 2007.

 

What is your favorite Beach Soccer memory?

 

The 2006 Championship final which we lost to Solomons 2-3. That was a great match, very exciting to play in.

 

Do you have a team you like playing against the most?

 

I like playing against the Solomon Islands because they are the hardest to beat. It’s good to test yourself against them and we’ve had some great matches.

 

Who is your favorite player?

 

Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

What do you like about Beach Soccer as opposed to eleven aside soccer?

 

I like that Beach Soccer is played on a small pitch so there is less emphasis on running and more freedom to try things, lots of different techniques and especially scissor/overhead kicks. You have the freedom to experiment in Beach Soccer.

 

What are you expecting from your team this year?

Well the last two Championships we have played in we have lost in the final to the Solomons twice. This time we want very much to go home winners and our dream is to go to Dubai to represent Oceania at the World Cup later this year.