Tahiti have won a record fifth OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup crown, defeating the Solomon Islands 4-3 on home sands at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae.
Rainui Tze-Yu scored the winner in the 34th minute as the Tiki Toa edged a seven-goal thriller against the Bilikili, and also secured qualification for their ninth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2027.
Having entered the tournament tied on four continental titles apiece, Tahiti can now lay claim to being Oceania’s most successful beach soccer national team, securing their fourth consecutive title and a fifth final victory over the Solomon Islands.
The most experienced member of the Solomon Islands squad, Max Fa’ari, opened the scoring with a header from a well-worked corner routine six minutes into the contest, but it would be the only time the Bilikili led in the match.
Tahiti’s player/coach Raimana Li Fung Kuee pulled the Tiki Toa level almost immediately, rifling a left-footed volley into the roof of the net from the restart for his first goal of the tournament.
Two further goals early in the second period saw the hosts establish a two-goal advantage, goalkeeper Teave Teamotuitau scoring from a long-range free kick before Ro’onui Tinirauarii converted a corner delivery at the back post.
The Solomon Islands dug deep to fight their way back into contention, responding with two goals of their own through Ramsy Melo and Roy Mafane to level the contest at 3-3 heading into the final period.
Player of the match James Do’oro pulled off several outstanding saves to keep the Solomon Islands hanging on, but with the home crowd behind them, Tahiti finally struck the decisive blow in the 34th minute, just two minutes from the end of normal time.
Rainui Tze-Yu was the hero, heading the ball past Do’oro to spark wild celebrations among the home crowd in Pirae.
The final whistle brought emotional scenes as Tahiti celebrated a historic fifth continental crown, made all the more special by lifting the trophy on home sands.
Tahiti: 4 (Raimana LI FUNG KUEE 6’, Teave TEAMOTUAITAU 14’, Ro’onui TINIRAUARII 17’, Rainui TZE-YU 34’)
Solomon Islands: 3 (Max FA’ARI 6’, Ramsy MELO 18’, Roy MAFANE 21’)
Earlier in the day, New Caledonia finished third with a 4-3 victory over Vanuatu.
A brace from player of the match Stéphan Pautre led them to victory as New Caledonia matched the third-place finish from their previous appearance in 2019.
After beating Vanuatu 7-5 in a closely fought affair during the group stage just five days earlier, the New Caledonians were again forced to work hard for victory here, as both nations concluded their campaigns.
The first of Pautre’s two goals in the sixth minute saw New Caledonia establish an early two-goal lead after Ménié Gope-Iwate’s fourth minute penalty. It looked as if they may cruise to the finish line, but an instant response from Sandy Mesau and an equaliser from Batis Alick levelled the contest for Vanuatu at two goals apiece after 19 minutes in the first match of the final matchday.
Makaluë Xowi restored New Caledonia’s advantage moments before the second break, before Pautre completed his brace in the 32nd minute to extend the lead to two goals.
Yassin Berukilukilu’s strike for Vanuatu with two seconds left on the clock in the third period proved too little, too late to force another comeback.
New Caledonia: 4 (Ménié GOPE-IWATE (P) 4’, Stéphan PAUTRE 6’, 32’, Makaluë XOWI 24’)
Vanuatu: 3 (Sandy MESAU 6’, Batis ALICK 19’, Yassin BERUKILUKILU 36’)
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek