OFC Futsal Championship 2016

(The Solomon Islands win the 2016 OFC Futsal Championship. Closing ceremony and medal presentation. 2016 OFC Futsal Championship, Match Day 5, New Zealand v New Caledonia, Vodafone Arena Suva Fiji, Saturday 13th February 2016. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

The 11th edition of the OFC Futsal Championship took place in 2016 with the winner also qualifying for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup™ in Colombia. The tournament was held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji, and was contested between six nations in a round-robin format. Hosts Fiji were joined by New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Tahiti, and Vanuatu.

(New Zealand celebrates New Zealand’s Kareem OSMAN’s goal. 2016 OFC Futsal Championship, Match Day 2, New Zealand v Tahiti, Vodafone Arena Suva Fiji, Tuesday 9th February 2016. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

After missing the tournament in 2014, four-time champions the Solomon Islands returned with a 3-0 victory over Tahiti in their opening match. They continued to grow as the tournament progressed, going on to win all of their remaining four matches, including a 4-1 win over New Zealand, to claim their fifth OFC Futsal Championship title and first since 2011.

(Vanuatu’s Serge DANIEL (GK) makes a save. 2016 OFC Futsal Championship, Match Day 4, Solomon Islands v Vanuatu, Vodafone Arena Suva Fiji, Friday 12th February 2016. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

New Zealand’s only defeat came to the eventual champions, and they wrapped up second with wins in their other four games, whilst Tahiti finished behind them in third. Hosts Fiji did not enjoy their campaign, and lost all five of their matches with just five goals scored. The Solomon Islands’ players sweeped the personal awards, with George Stevenson winning the golden boot, Elliot Ragomo receiving the golden ball, and Anthony Talo being awarded the golden glove.