Laying the base for more sand-based success

Coinciding with the concluding days of the tournament, many of the Oceania Football Confederation’s member nations have been participating at the FIFA/OFC Beach Soccer Seminar.Held over three days, participants from New Caledonia, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and American Samoa enjoyed topics covering a wide variety of lectures, interactive events and on-field work, all with one…

From the President of Tahiti to the individuals among a huge crowd who packed into To’ata Stadium and the fan zone over the past two weeks – everyone is lending their support and labelling the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 one of the best ever.Not just because the home side, the Tiki Toa,…

The 28-year-old proved one of the sensations of the tournament with his prowess and accuracy on the sand.A fearless and athletic presence in the host team’s electrifying front line he chipped in with six goals, just one fewer than the tournament’s third-highest scorer.After helping his side through the group stages and an exciting semi-final victory…

In a match that finished 6-6 after regular time, then 7-7 after extra-time, the over-achieving host nation can be proud of its tournament.Expected to be swatted aside with some degree of comfort by Brazil, Tahiti started the better of the two sides when Raimana Li Fung Kuee got the hosts off to the perfect start…

Auckland City dominated the first half of an intense pre-season friendly at a jam-packed Kiwitea Street with three superb saves by Phoenix keeper Jacob Spoonley denying his former team-mates the lead.Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has endured an at times disjointed pre-season campaign with players missing on international duty or injured but conceded Auckland City…

In what has been one of the most memorable World Cup campaigns of any Oceania side to date the hosts were slowly undone by the experienced Russians who took the game 5-3.Despite their pedigree the result was never assured for the Europeans who were forced to come from behind by a Tahitian side determined to…

The four-team tournament takes place in Pago Pago, American Samoa, from October 15-19, 2013.The host nation is represented by Pago Youth who make their second appearance on the Oceania preliminary stage and looking to improve on last season’s fourth place finish in Tonga.OFC Head of Competitions David Firisua expressed pride ahead of the tournament.“We’re proud…