The Solomon Islands survived an early scare to establish themselves as both the crowd pleasers and tournament favourites of the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva after a resounding 8-5 win over New Caledonia.
New Caledonia got off to the best possible start scoring two goals in the opening eight minutes through Alexandre Rosso and Edouard Muraccioli.
But it was the Solo boys who dominated the possession, shots on goal and the crowd support and the 1000-strong crowd was brought to life as they equalised and then went ahead just before halftime with two goals from Moffat Sikwa’ae and a converted penalty kick from Elliot Ragomo.
Solomon goalkeeper Alick Lioka was shown a straight red card for his foul play on New Caledonia’s Jerry Iaruel but reserve goalkeeper Stanley Puairana saved spectacularly from the resulting penalty.
The Solomon’s came out of the second half buzzing and three minutes into the second half they made it 4-2 with a great strike from Jenan Kapu.
Jack Wetney added to the tally two minutes later and New Caledonia pulled one back through Marcias Gino Rene in the 32nd minute.
The last two minutes produced a flurry of goals as both sides decided to go for all out attack.
Ragomo got his second with two minutes remaining before a late Micah Lea’lalafa double in the last minute.
Then it was New Caledonias turn and two goals to Yvan Pourouoro in the last 50 seconds created an entertaining end to the match.
Solomon Island coach Voctor Wai’ia was expecting a hard game and was impressed with the approach his side adopted.
“The boys didn’t settle down very quickly and I feel that we fell into their way of playing in the opening half.
“But the second half was different and we found our rhythm. We will try to find that rhythm quicker and we will need to tomorrow against Fiji.”
New Caledonia coach Eric Michalak was in admiration of the way the Solomon team played.
“They play with speed and great movement. We were well organised in defence but they were to quick at times.”
“There was so much time left on the clock when we went up 2-0 that I knew it would be difficult.”
Photos by Marc Peretic Wilson
SOL: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 12. Jack WETNEY;
SUBS: 4. Alfred PUNGUIKA; 5. Jenan KAPU; 6. Maffat SIKW’AE; 8.Francis LAFAI; 11. Ron GINIO; 13. StanleyPUAIRANA (RGK) 2. Phillip HOUTARAU
COACH: Victor WAI’IA (SOL)
NCL: 1. Ronan EUZEN (GK); 3. Alexandre ROSSO; 4. Albert HNAILOLO; 5. Jerry IARUEL; 7. EDOUARD MURACCIOLI;
SUBS: 2. Jean Phillipe WEMAMA; 6. Benoit MOGLIA; 8. Yvan POUROUORO; 9. Yoan GARIN; 10. Marcias GINO RENE; 11. Stevens GUILLEMIN; 16. Ronald GAYON (RGK);
Coach: Michalak ERIC (NCL)
Referee: Allan Alick (VAN)
2nd Referee: Jamie CROSS (NZL)
3rd Referee: Chris COLLEY (AUS)
Time Keeper: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)
Referee’s Assessor: Chandra SEGRAN (FIJ)
