OFC Futsal Men’s Nations Cup 2019

(Solomon Islands celebrate qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2019, Final, Solomon Islands v New Zealand, Arene Du Sud, Noumea, New Caledonia, Saturday 2nd November 2019. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

The 10th edition of the OFC Futsal Championship took place in 2019 with the winner also qualifying for the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup™ in Lithuania. The tournament was held at the L’Arène du Sud in Païta, New Caledonia, and was contested between eight nations. The format consisted of two groups of four, with the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals. Hosts New Caledonia were drawn alongside New Zealand, Vanuatu, and American Samoa in Group A, whilst defending champions the Solomon Islands were joined in Group B by Tahiti, Fiji, and Tonga.

Group A was dominated by New Zealand and New Caledonia, who won both of their first two matches by at least seven goal margins. New Zealand defeated American Samoa 9-0 and Vanuatu 8-0, whilst hosts New Caledonia were 9-0 and 11-1 victors over the same opposition, securing their semi-final spots with a game to play. That sent the group to a top-of-the table decider on the last day, where New Zealand secured top spot with two goals from Dylan Manickum in a 4-2 victory over New Caledonia.

(New Zealand’s Dylan Manickum goes after the ball. OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2019, Final, Solomon Islands v New Zealand, Arene Du Sud, Noumea, New Caledonia, Saturday 2nd November 2019. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

The Solomon Islands faced little issue in Group B, opening their campaign with a 13-2 drubbing of Tonga, followed by a 7-2 win over Tahiti, and a 4-1 victory over Fiji. Three wins from three secured top spot in the group, and they were joined by Tahiti in the semi-finals, following their big 11-1 victory over Fiji.

A hat-trick from George Stevenson and two goals from Marley Sia propelled the Solomon Islands to a 5-1 victory over hosts New Caledonia in the first semi-final. New Zealand joined them in the final after a thrilling 3-2 win over Tahiti in the second semi, helped by two goals from Oban Hawkins.

(Solomon Islands celebrate qualifying for another Futsal World Cup. OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2019, Final, Solomon Islands v New Zealand, Arene Du Sud, Noumea, New Caledonia, Saturday 2nd November 2019. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

In one of the classic OFC Futsal Championship finals, the Solomon Islands edged New Zealand 2-1 in a penalty shootout after finishing 5-5 after extra-time to secure their sixth continental title. They had come back from two goals down late in regulation time to take the match into extra time. Mickey Malivuk scored twice for New Zealand, but that was canceled out by a double from Alvin Hou at the L’Arène du Sud as the Solomon Islands also booked their spot at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup™.

New Zealand’s Dylan Manickum was awarded the golden ball, whilst his teammate Mickey Malivuk finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer alongside Tahiti’s Olivier Hirihiri. American Samoa received the fair play award, and the Solomon Islands’ Anthony Talo picked up the golden glove.