Hosts Tahiti lit up the 2013 edition with a lively 3-2 win against United Arab Emirates in front of a raucous Papeete crowd.
It wasn’t easy for the locals however, as they were made to work hard for all three points.
Opening with a rousing pre-match Polynesian Haka they took that energy into the opening period, and duly led 2-0 by the end of the first interval.
Pivot Raimoana Bennett secured a slice of history by netting on four minutes and 25 seconds with a strike that brought a roar rarely heard in the French Polynesia capital.
Veteran Tahiti star Teva Zaveroni doubled the lead soon after with a spectacular effort from long range that even the athletic but over-worked Emirati goalkeeper Mohamed Aljasmi was unable to prevent.
It was soon 3-0 as Raimana Li Fung Kueem fresh from scoring a treble in Tahiti’s final pre-tournament international against Australia last Friday, cracked home a sweet strike off a chested pass from captain Naea Bennett.
However, Hasan Alhammadi pulled a goal back with a scrambled effort midway through the second period and within two minutes Haitham Alkaabi had reduced the deficit further bringing the contest back to life.
Tahiti were not to be denied the glory however, and survived a tense finale to leave them one win away from the knockout stages.
Tiki Toa stalwart Zaveroni says the side didn’t display their best effort on the pitch this evening but he’s pleased they could hold on for the win.
“We didn’t really play our game, but that’s normal. It’s the beginning of the competition, there’s a lot of pressure, but we needed to hold onto this match for the future,” he says.
“Physically, the Emirates were ready, but we were also ready and unwilling to let go and I think the team that wanted it more won the match. It was very difficult, but now we are thinking only of recuperating ahead of the second match.
For their Oceania neighbours it was a battle of different sorts as they waited until the final period to secure a 2-0 win over tournament debutants Netherlands in a record-equalling low-scoring match.
The first period had included several narrow misses, with Netherlands’ captain Patrick Ax clipping the crossbar with a snap-shot, while Solomon Islands had an effort cleared off the line.
In the second third, Netherlands’ wing Charlie Van Den Ouweland struck the cross bar with a sweetly struck volley but the scoreline remained blank – the first time the tournament has witnessed two consecutive scoreless periods.
A goal was starting to look unlikely until Solomon Islands’ wing Joe Luwi finally broke the deadlock early in the second half of the third. Even his goal had an ounce of luck, bouncing over the arms of diving Dutch goalkeeper Frank Van Der Geerst.
Nicholas Muri then made it 2-0 for the Solomons, securing the points, with a glancing header with three minutes remaining.
Bilikiki coach Gideon Omokirio says he is incredibly happy for the team to have such an important win under their belts so early in the competition.
“It was a very exciting match, especially as this was my first World Cup win. I am really proud of the boys’ performance and how they worked hard in this game for a deserved result,” Omokirio says.
“Netherlands played really well today, the score-line shows that it was a very close game and we were fortunate to come away with this win. They tried to play the game in the air because they knew it would be harder for us, so it was a real battle of wills.”
Omokirio says his side earned the edge as they were able to quickly analyse the direction Netherlands wanted to take the game allowing them to minimise the threat their opponents posed.
“We went about it by keeping them under constant pressure and did not give them time to play like they wanted to.”
Solomon Islands continue their campaign against CONMEBOL champions Argentina on September 21 (local). Hosts Tahiti will face USA later the same evening.
MATCH DETAILS
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP TAHITI 2013
Group A
September 21, 2013
USA v TAHITI
Kick-off: 19h00 (local)
Group B
September 21, 2013
SOLOMON ISLANDS v ARGENTINA
Kick-off: 17h30 (local)

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