After a flattering 5-1 win over Tuvalu, hosts Fiji remain the only unbeaten side along with the Solomon Islands and sit second to the Kurukuru in the standings only on goal difference.
Tuvalu led 1-0 throughout the match and looked like they could hold on until a late onslaught from the home side including a hat-trick to Kamal Hassan.
The Fiji captain says they were fortunate to get out of the match with maximum points.
“I think we took Tuvalu very lightly in the match but they proved to be a good side. When Tuvalu scored an early goal we seemed to rush things but a good talk at half time by the coach and team director settled us down.
“We are happy with the win and I would like to thank the boys for the effort.” Hassan.
Fiji coach Hussein Sahib says there will be areas to work on before their next match.
“I discussed with the boys what went wrong in the first half and in second half they came out to show their true character. I’m happy with the way they finished the game. But we definitely need to go back and talk about the way we started this match,” says Sahib.
Tahiti also enjoyed their second straight victory edging New Caledonia 3-2 to take them to six points. After going down two goals in the first half, Tapu Hunter’s side hit back after the break through Teva Durot, Mana Faarahia and Tevarii Kaiha.
Front man Herenui Peretii says the team will take a lot of confidence from the dramatic victory.
“We were a bit unlucky at the start but we came back in the second half and put them under a lot of pressure. We got our attackers in the game more than in our last two games. We’re learning every game.”
Peretii says the tournament has been valuable experience for the young side.
“This is the first international tournament for many of the players. I think the team is getting better each game. We play with heart and anything is possible in sport so we’ll try to win the championship.”
New Zealand meanwhile beat Vanuatu by the same margin; a brace to captain Marvin Eakins from two set plays capping off a gutsy performance. The Futsal Whites were without Micky Malivuk who is still recovering from a knock in the first match but coach Matt Chandler says there was enough depth in the squad to see them through.
“We hope Micky’s going to come right but we’re strong as a team so I’m not too concerned. I thought Marvin was incredible today. I couldn’t take him off, he just had to stay in the game. The boys showed a lot of character and I think we grew up a little bit as a futsal team tonight.
“I was particularly pleased that they bounced back from a the equalising goal. We’ve got a lot of belief now and we’ll take that into our next match.”
New Zealand will face Tahiti in tomorrow’s opening match with the Fiji-New Caledonia clash to follow and finally the match of the day will feature Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
To download the match summary New Caledonia-Tahiti click here.
To download the match summary Vanuatu-New Zealand click here.
To download the match summary Tuvalu-Fiji click here.
For full schedule and results click here
For official team lists click here