Solomon Islands picked up their second win at the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2026 and booked their place in the final against Tahiti this weekend.
The four-time champions didn’t have it all their own way however, falling behind to a spirited Vanuatu side, before coming back to secure a 7-2 victory in Papeete.
Just four minutes were on the clock when Batis Alick gave Vanuatu a shock lead – finishing from close range to open the scoring.
It took Solomon Islands time to assert themselves and recover from the early setback, but when they did, they never looked back. Max Fa’ari equalised with a scrambled finish before Roy Mafane arrowed a fantastic effort into the top corner to complete the turnaround – giving Solomon Islands the lead after the first period.
Albert Bobby made it three with a direct free-kick that gave Vanuatu goalkeeper Sterry Tor no chance, with Apolos Ahua finding the net with a wonderfully neat finish five minutes later to make it 4-1.
Player of the Match Charlie Otainao made it five with a direct free-kick that flashed low into the corner, only for Alick to score his and Vanuatu’s second almost immediately from the kick-off to reduce the arrears.
Any hopes of a comeback however were duly snuffed out, when Remsy Melo grabbed a quickfire double, scoring twice in two minutes to re-establish Solomon Islands’ dominance and ensure they came away with the three points.
They can now look forward to the final this weekend, with hosts Tahiti their opponents. The two sides jointly hold the record for most title wins with four – adding even more excitement to their much anticipated clash.
Vanuatu: 2 (Batis ALICK 4′, 24′)
Solomon Islands: 7 (Max FA’ARI 8′, Roy MAFANE 9′, Albert BOBBY 15′, Apolos AHUA 20′, Charlie OTAINAO 24′, Remsy MELO 31′, 32′)
Tahiti flexed their muscles with a dominant win over New Caledonia in the day’s second match, as they prepare for a final showdown with Solomon Islands.
The defending champions – who like their final opponents are aiming for a record fifth crown – were outstanding throughout, with Heirauarii Salem and Ro’onui Tinirauarii scoring four and three each, respectively.
Salem’s goals were particularly noteworthy, as it took the Tahitian ahead of James Naka as the all-time leading goal scorer in OFC beach soccer history.
Two minutes were on the clock when Heimanu Taiarui gave the hosts the lead, to which Salem quickly added his first.
Daniel Tagawa pulled one back for New Caledonia, to keep their slim final hopes alive. Though just a minute later Ro’onui Tinirauarii opened his account with a smart volley having been set up by Raimana Li Fung Kuee.
Salem grabbed his second shortly after the first interval to take himself level with James Naka’s all-time goal scoring record. Tearii Labaste then added a fifth for Tahiti as they began to pull clear.
Gervais Chan Kat’s effort was deflected in for an unfortunate own goal before Salem completed his hat-trick to make history – slamming his penalty home to take himself above Naka as the outright OFC beach soccer leader in goals.
Rainui Tze-Yu scored his first of the campaign, with Labaste forcing another own goal immediately following the restart.
Renaldo Teiva Nonmeu pulled back a consolation strike for New Caledonia as they continued to work hard, but Tahiti were proving too much.
Ro’onui Tinirauarii scored his second and then completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later to match Salem’s tally at that point.
Ménié Gope-Iwate claimed New Caledonia’s final goal of the match to give their fans some late cheer, but it was fittingly Salem that would have the final say – scoring his fourth and Tahiti’s 12th, to send them to the final in fine form.
Tahiti: 12 (Heimanu TAIARUI 2′, Heirauarii SALEM 7′, 15′, 20′ (P), 35, Ro’onui TINIRAUARII 10′, 26′, 29′ (P), Tearii LABASTE 18′, Own Goal 20′, 25′, Rainui TZE-YU 23′)
New Caledonia: 3 (Daniel TAGAWA 9′, Renaldo Teiva NONMEU 25′, Ménié GOPE-IWATE 35′)