New Zealand take on Fiji in the first match at 4:30pm local time before Tahiti face off with Solomon Islands at 6:30pm and New Caledonia clash with Tuvalu at 8:30pm.
All matches will be streamed LIVE online via Oceaniafootball.com
Here’s a look at how the teams are looking ahead of the fifth round of matches:
New Zealand vs Fiji
This is one of the key matches of the championship, particularly for New Zealand’s Futsal Whites. Solomon Islands and Fiji, the pre-tournament favourites to occupy the top two places, have now begun to pull away from the pack and the Kiwis need to win this one to stay in contention. If New Zealand lose, it’s hard to see Fiji slipping up elsewhere and letting coach Matthew Chandler’s side back into the title running. The Futsal Whites will approach this match with plenty of confidence after posting two wins on the trot, 3-2 over Vanuatu and 2-1 against Tahiti respectively. They also have several players in good form – captain Marvin Eakins has hardly put a foot wrong, the tricky Brazilian-born Lucas da Silva has scored in each of the last two matches, and playmaker Miro Major is becoming more influential with every game. New Zealand also have striker Miroslav Malivuk, hugely impressive in the first game against the Solomons, back from injury and he will be keen to get back on the goal trail. This will be the toughest examination of their qualities since that 8-4 defeat to the Kurukuru though – Fiji are hitting their stride after a slow start and are probably the only side with a genuine chance of challenging the Solomons for the title.
Tahiti vs Solomon Islands
The French Polynesians will have their work cut out for them to get anything from this game. Their form so far has been solid enough – they have won two of their four games – but the Solomons are the benchmark for futsal in this part of the world and have used this tournament to emphasise the gulf in class that exists between them and everyone else. Coach Dickson Kadau’s team have scored 25 goals in their three matches and no other team has come close to matching their skill and speed. Even with the suspended Elliot Ragomo out of action yesterday, they still managed to put eight past Vanuatu – one of the sides expected to push for a top-three finish – and have bundles of talent all over the court. Micah Lea’alafa scored a hat-trick last night to take his tally to nine and lead the golden boot race, while Jack Wetney is also showing why he picked up the player of the tournament award in 2009. Tahiti are a well-organised side and their defence is tough to break down – no team has scored more than two goals against them. But that record is under serious threat tonight and the Kurukuru are likely to continue their streak of high-scoring wins.
New Caledonia vs Tuvalu
Underdogs Tuvalu will see this as their best chance yet to finally pick up an historic win. This is their second appearance at the OFC championships and they are yet to post a victory but will fancy their chances here. New Caledonia have had a disastrous campaign results-wise and are the only other side without any points to show for their efforts. In fairness, they have been unlucky in previous matches but they were well beaten last night by a Kamal Hassan-inspired Fiji. Coach Eric Michalak and his men will be desperate to restore some pride and get something from the tournament so a loss will be out of the question. But Tuvalu have a real chance of causing an upset – New Caledonia’s poor run must have affected their confidence and, despite losing all their matches, Tuvalu have shown some promising signs. They gave Fiji a bit of a scare on day three and led 1-0 for much of the game before the hosts showed their class by hitting five goals in the last ten minutes. Tuvalu more than make up for what they lack in the technical department with their determined attitude and, if they can apply themselves as they did against Fiji, New Caledonia could have a very tough game on their hands indeed.
Vanuatu will have a bye today.
Upcoming matches:
12/8/10 4:30pm New Zealand vs Fiji
12/8/10 6:30pm Tahiti vs Solomon Islands
12/8/10 8:30pm New Caledonia vs Tuvalu
For full schedule and results click here
For official team lists click here