Tahiti and the Solomon Islands matched their previous best starts at a Beach Soccer World Cup with wins over UAE and the Netherlands.
But neither side has managed to win back-to-back finals matches at a FIFA-tournament.
The only other FIFA tournament to have involved two Oceanian teams was the FIFA U-17 World Cup 1999. Then too, both sides claimed victory on the first matchday, albeit 24 hours apart, with New Zealand beating Poland 1-0 and Australia edging Mali by the same scoreline.
Solomon Islands have opened the Beach Soccer World Cup with first up wins on two previous occasions.
In 2006, the Bilikiki downed Cameron 5-2 but then lost their next two matches to Uruguay (10-5) and Portugal (14-2).
They followed that up with a dramatic 7-6 triumph over Uruguay in their opening match of the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, UAE, before losing consecutive matches to the hosts (7-1) and Portugal (6-1).
The Gideon Omokirio side face Argentina in their next match before finishing their group campaign with El Salvador on the sands of the Tahua To’ata Stadium in Papeete.
The previous encounter between the two nations ended in a 3-2 friendly win for Argentina in Dubai in 2009.
With only two goals scored, Solomon Islands 2-0 win over Netherlands is the joint-lowest-scoring match in the history of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, equalling Spain’s 2-0 win over Argentina in 2008 and the 1-1 draw played out by Ukraine and Mexico in 2011.
Solomon Islands victory was the first Oceanian victory in seven attempts against European opposition at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
In other highlights for Bilikiki, Fred Hale of Solomon Islands played his 13th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup match, setting a new national appearance record that outshines the 12-match tally of former player Eddie Ngaitini.
For the host nation a similar pattern emerges.
In 2011, Tiki Toa opened their adventure with a thrilling 5-2 win over Venezuela at Stadio del Mare, Marina di Ravenna, Italy.
But the Teva Zaveroni-inspired Tahitians lost their next two matches to eventual champions Russia (5-0) and Nigeria (4-1) to finish third in their group behind the Africans and an early exit.
Tahiti were brave in their 3-2 win over Beach Soccer powerhouse UAE but face a down but not out USA side who capitulated 5-4 to Spain.
Zaveroni became the only Tahitian to score in two different editions. Before netting against United Arab Emirates he bagged three goals in 2011.
Tiki Toa’s final group match is with USA conquerors Spain.

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