The ninth edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup has wrapped up in Tahiti, with the Tiki Toa retaining their continental crown and qualifying for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027™.
Four nations competed on the sands of Aorai Tini Hau across four matchdays in Pirae, marking 20 years since the tournament was first held in 2006.
We’ve recapped the key moments from an action-packed week in Tahiti.
Tournament Review
Group Stage
Tahiti’s title defence began in emphatic fashion on the opening matchday, with an 18-1 victory over Vanuatu – Heirauarii Salem laying down the gauntlet with seven goals.
The Tiki Toa went on to win all three group-stage matches and qualify for a fourth consecutive final, including a 7-4 victory over the Solomon Islands in what proved to be the most competitive encounter of the group stage.
The Bilikiki ensured there would be a rematch in the final, defeating New Caledonia 10-5 and Vanuatu 7-2 to finish second in the standings.
Final
Meeting in the final for the fourth consecutive edition and the fifth time overall, the Solomon Islands made a promising start through Max Fa’ari, who opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
Tahiti responded to establish a 3-1 advantage, but two goals from the Bilikiki brought the contest level heading into the final period.
Rainui Tze-Yu scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute, beating James Do’oro with a header to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Tiki Toa and spark emotional celebrations in front of their home crowd.
The champions: Tahiti
The Tiki Toa became the most successful nation in OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup history, surpassing the Solomon Islands with their fifth continental title on the sands of Aorai Tini Hau.
The tournament hosts were dominant throughout, but had to overcome two stern tests against the Bilikiki to retain their crown, scoring 41 goals and conceding just 11 across their four matches.
Tahiti will represent OFC at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027™, marking their ninth consecutive appearance at the global finals.
Moments of the tournament
Tze-Yu’s winning header
The defining moment of the tournament arrived with just two minutes remaining in the final, as Rainui Tze-Yu rose to head home the winning goal against the Solomon Islands.
His dramatic late intervention broke the tension among the home supporters and secured Tahiti a historic fifth OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup crown.
New Caledonia and Vanuatu return to the sand
After seven years away, both New Caledonia and Vanuatu returned to the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup for the first time since 2019.
While neither nation managed to challenge for a place in the final, their return to the regional stage was a welcome sight.
New Caledonia claimed their first tournament victory since 2019 before defeating Vanuatu 4-3 in the third-place play-off, who finished fourth.
The individual awards
Golden Ball: Heirauarii Salem
With 12 goals in four games, Salem finished level with teammate Ro’onui Tinirauarii atop the Golden Boot standings and was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.
Salem was particularly menacing for opposition with his ability from overhead kicks. It goes alongside the Golden Boot award he won at the previous edition of the tournament in 2024.
Golden Boot: Ro’onui Tinirauarii
A goalscorer in all four of Tahiti’s matches, Ro’onui Tinirauarii finished with 12 goals, including hat-tricks in all three group-stage encounters.
Tinirauarii also found the net in the final, converting a corner delivery at the back post against the Solomon Islands. He has now scored 23 goals across three editions of the tournament.
Golden Glove: Teave Teamotuitau
Retaining the Golden Glove award he won in 2024, Teave Teamotuaitau was again impressive between the sticks for Tahiti, helping the champions finish with the best defensive record in the competition.
A Tahiti United representative in the OFC Pro League, Teamotuaitau also contributed at the other end, scoring with a long-range free kick in the final against the Solomon Islands.
Fair Play Award: Vanuatu
Receiving just one yellow card across their four matches, Vanuatu were given the Fair Play Award for the best disciplinary record of the tournament.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek