OFC Beach Soccer Championship 2013

Raimana Li Fung Kuee of Tahiti is challenged by Jorginho of Brazil during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 3rd Place Playoff match between Brazil and Tahiti at the Tahua To’ata stadium on September 28, 2013 in Papeete, French Polynesia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The fifth edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Championship took place in 2013 with the winner also qualifying for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ in Tahiti. The first FIFA event to be held outside of Australia and New Zealand in the OFC region. The tournament was held at the University of New Caledonia in Noumea, and was contested by just three nations in a round-robin format. Tahiti opted not to participate in favour of touring Europe in preparation for hosting the upcoming World Cup. That meant New Caledonia were joined by the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

James Naka of Solomon Islands shoots at goal as Patrick Ax of netherlands tries to block during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 Group B match at To’ata Stadium on September 19, 2013 in Papeete, French Polynesia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

2011 golden ball winner James Naka stole the limelight again with a hat-trick for the Solomon Islands in their 8-3 opening win over Vanuatu. Hosts New Caledonia set up a title-deciding contest with the three-time winners on the final day, following a gripping 7-6 victory over the same side. The Solomon Islands proved too good though, claiming their fourth OFC Beach Soccer Championship title with a 6-0 victory over New Caledonia, and qualifying for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Having scored a hat-trick against the hosts, Joseph Luwi won the golden boot with five goals, whilst his teammates Samson Takayama won the golden ball, and Fred Hale received the golden glove.

Tiki Toa fans congratulate their team Tahiti on victory in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Tahiti at the Tahua To’ata Stadium on September 25, 2013 in Papeete, French Polynesia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Tournament hosts Tahiti made history by becoming the first OFC nation to qualify for the knockout stages of a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™, and the first OFC member aside from Australia or New Zealand to progress to the knockout stage of any FIFA tournament.

They opened the competition with a 3-2 victory over the United Arab Emirates at Tahua To’ata Stadium in Papeete, before securing progression from the group with a nerve-wracking 4-2 win over the USA in extra-time. Tahiti’s run didn’t come to an end at the quarter-finals though, shocking the world by defeating Argentina 6-1 and sending the nation into a frenzy.

Eventual champions Russia proved a step too far in the semi-finals however with Tahiti losing 5-3 in a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ classic. Despite defeat, a medal remained possible, Tiki Toa took Brazil to extra time after a 7-all draw, but it was the South Americans that prevailed on penalties. Elsewhere, the Solomon Islands opened with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, but failed to join their Pacific compatriots in the quarter-finals with tight defeats to both Argentina and El Salavador.