Wetney: Kurukuru are better this year

Wetney, who won the player of the tournament award at last year’s event, says the Kurukuru have come a long way since then and the players are sharper than they’ve ever been before.“We have matured and now we are more confident as futsal players,” he says.The star striker feels that the 2010 vintage is more…

Vanuatu take on New Caledonia in the first match at 4:30pm before Tuvalu face off with Tahiti at 6:30pm and Solomon Islands clash with New Zealand at 8:30pm (Please note: These kick off times are different to the previously reported schedule and will remain in place for the rest of the tournament).All matches will be…

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Kurukuru as New Zealand came out fighting in the first half with three goals from Micky Malivuk to go 3-2 up at the break.The physical presence of Malivuk caused problems for the Kurukuru while at the other end goalkeeper Elias Billeh kept his side in it with…

It was a team effort from Vanuatu with four players getting on the score sheet, while New Caledonia’s Cedrick Humuni led the way for his side grabbing a hat-tick. Indeed Humuni thought he had won it for his side with the last of his efforts making it 4-3 in the 32nd minute, sparking wild celebrations…

The second match on day two started slowly with both teams keeping a tight defensive structure.But Tahiti eventually took control of the match and went close in the 6th minute when Rene Devendeville hit the upright. It was captain Teva Durot who tapped in the opening goal after Devendeville’s initial shot was parried away by…

The reigning champions managed to see off a spirited effort from New Zealand to win 8-4 and sit above Vanuatu on goal difference. Tahiti meanwhile helped their chances with a 4-0 victory over Tuvalu to go second equal with hosts Fiji who have a game in hand after their bye today.New Zealand, New Caledonia and…

The hosts had to grind out a 2-0 win over Tahiti while the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu enjoyed comfortable victories over New Caledonia (9-2) and Tuvalu (7-1) respectively. New Zealand meanwhile had a bye. The opening match looked like it would be a close encounter with underdogs Tuvalu holding Vanuatu to 1-1 at the break….

The first day of action sees Tuvalu meet Vanuatu in the opening match at 5pm local time before Solomon Islands face off with New Caledonia at 6:30pm and hosts Fiji clash with Tahiti at 8pm.New Zealand have a bye and will not be in action until Monday night when they meet defending champions Solomon Islands…

Suva’s Vodafone Arena came alive on Saturday evening as the young Kurukuru wowed fans with a dominant performance including a hat-trick from star player Elliot Ragomo.It was 2009 Golden Boot winner Micah Lea’alafa who got the scoring underway in just the third minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle. A few minutes later,…

That’s according to coach Marcellino Barthelemy, who says the team is still haunted by the disappointing results in 2009 when they managed just one win from four matches.“Last year was catastrophic and we need to set the record straight,” says Barthelemy, who has been involved with the team for the previous two OFC tournaments. “I…