Mataks FC have claimed a 5-1 victory over Suval Futsal Club to secure their second win at the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2025, and keep their hopes of playing in Sunday’s final alive.
Mataks struck first after several early counters, with Calvin Do’oro threading a clean pass through the middle for Owen Bunabo, who timed his run and finished well to put the Solomon Islands club ahead.
Suva replied through a sharp move down the right, finding Merrill Nand in the mid court, who used quick footwork to beat his defender and place his shot high and level the match.
Suva were able to move the ball well through the mid court and in counters to keep Mataks alert. Nikil Chand stayed lively and remained a constant threat for the hosts, but Mataks improved as the first half continued, with Elis Mana controlling play.
It was Mataks who went back ahead, Bunabo forcing a turnover on the right wing and squaring the ball to captain Elis Mana who finished from close range to give them a 2-1 lead.
Elis Mana scored his second goal four minutes after his first, and Mataks third, to give his side a comfortable lead at the break.
They extended that lead just 72 seconds into the second half, a well worked sequence from their front three saw Calvin Do’oro score Mataks fourth goal.
Suva battled on defence, with Kitione Baleloa producing several saves to give his side relief amongst the constant pressure. But the pressure was too much for Suva to handle as Mataks found the back of the net again through Benjamin Mana, and extended the lead to 5-1 to seal the win.
The win keeps Mataks FC in the race for the top two, only one point behind Southern Legions FC who hold the second spot. Both teams will face each other tomorrow, in what shapes as a straight shoot-out for the final, with the winner to face the Waikato Rapids in Sunday’s match for the continental title. A draw would give defending champions AS PTT a chance to jump above both.
Whilst Suva Futsal Club’s hopes are now very small, they’ll be looking to cause an upset when they take on the undefeated Waikato Rapids in their final Group stage match.
Suva Futsal Club: 1 (Merrill NAND 10′)
Mataks FC: 5 (Owen BUNABO 9′, Elis MANA 14′, 18′, Calvin DO’ORO 21′, Benjamin MANA 25′)
HT: 1-3
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek.