Malaita captured the Mariner National Beach Soccer Championship title in the Solomon Islands with a 5-3 victory over Honiara in the final.
The showpiece match took place on Saturday and was a fitting finale to a well-attended tournament in one of Oceania’s beach soccer hotbeds.
Malaita’s Thompson Peter was the top scorer for the tournament with 12 goals, while teammate Bobby Albert won the Golden Ball as the best player. Western goalkeeper Brenton John claimed the Golden Glove award.
Western, who were awarded the Fair Play trophy, finished third with Makira Ulawa in fourth.
Staying in the Solomons, in the Solrais Women’s Premier League, Koloale kept the ball rolling at the top of the table with a 7-0 win over Marist on Sunday.
The victory made it seven wins from as many matches and what is more impressive is they’re yet to concede a goal this season.
In Sunday’s other fixture, Borderline and West Honiara played out a goalless draw.
In Saturday’s matches, Solright FC maintained second place with a 3-0 win over Ha’arosia FC with two goals from Ella Vakatao, while Frigates United moved to third as they beat Naha FC 11-0, and the RSIPF Royals fell to fourth after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Haura FC.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Football Federation Futsal Instructor Jerry Sam ran a youth futsal coaching course in Savo Island that featured 14 coaches.
The three-day course that concluded on Sunday taught coaches how to prepare and conduct a training session as well as game understanding.
In New Caledonia’s Super Ligue, Hienghène Sport remain at the top of the ladder following their 6-1 victory against JS Baco during the weekend.
AS Kunie are in second after they topped RC Poindimie 2-1, while in the league’s other matches, AS Wetr breezed past AS Lössi 4-1, Qanono Sport edged SC Ne Drehu 2-1, AS Magenta and AS Monte-Dore drew 2-2, and Horizon Patho downed Dumbéa FC 2-1.
In Tonga, the national women’s team held a training camp recently at Lolomana’ia Park under the watchful eye of coach Timote Polovili.
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It’s a busy time for football in the Kingdom with their futsal competition ongoing as well as youth leagues.
This week, the Tonga Football Association is running a five-day course for 24 coaches to attain their OFC/TFA C Licence.
In New Zealand, the men’s National League continued with fixtures in the Northern and Central Leagues.
In the Northern League, both Auckland City FC and Auckland United registered wins during the weekend to set up a top-of-the-table clash this Saturday.
City eased past Eastern Suburbs AFC 5-0 last weekend, while United pipped Melville United 1-0.
Auckland City and Auckland United have emerged as runaway leaders of the Northern League after 10 rounds, although City have a one-point advantage over United plus a game in hand.
In other results from the Northern League during the weekend, Birkenhead United moved to fourth with a 3-0 win over Bay Olympic, the third-placed Western Springs were held to a 1-1 draw by the Northern Rovers, the Hamilton Wanderers and West Coast Rangers drew 2-2, while Manukau United and North Shore United finished all square at 1-1.
In the Central League, the Miramar Rangers and Wellington Olympic continue to set the pace and both sides have won seven matches with one draw, while the Rangers own a superior goal difference.
During the weekend, Miramar defeated the Napier City Rovers 4-1, while Olympic hammered Wainuiomata 4-0.
In the league’s other fixtures, Lower Hutt City maintained third place with a 4-1 win over Wairarapa United, North Wellington beat Petone 5-3, and Waterside Karori beat Western Suburbs 1-0.
The Southern League is scheduled to begin in July and the teams who will qualify for the competition are set to be determined in the coming weeks.
In Tahiti, their national men’s beach soccer team, known as the Tiki Toa, assembled for a training camp as they prepare for August’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia.
The 18-strong preliminary squad will be trimmed closer to the tournament and Tahiti will be targeting another strong finish after claiming second place at the global event in 2015 and 2017.
In Ligue 1 action during the weekend, Pirae kept their unbeaten run going in the playoffs as they defeated Tiare Tahiti 11-1, AS Vénus beat Tefana 3-0, and Pueu got the better of Central Sport 4-2.
In the relegation section, Mataiea topped Arue 3-0, Manu Ura got past the Junior Tahitiens 4-2, and Olympic Mahina beat Excelsior 3-1.
Catch the highlights from the week in Tahitian football below. Please note: this is a French language video.
Lupe Ole Soaga SC made a strong start to their title defence in Samoa’s men’s National League with a 4-1 win over Sogi last week.
In the opening round’s other matches, Vaitele-Uta beat Moata’a 3-0, Faatoia United drew 1-1 with Vaiusu FC, Vaipuna thumped Togafuafua 11-0, USP drew 1-1 with Lion of Judah, and Vaivase beat Kiwi 1-0.
In the Cook Islands, a referee training course will begin next Monday and more information can be found on their Facebook page.
Football remains on hold in Fiji due to COVID-19.
Ends