OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019

Tahiti’s Tearii Labaste does a bicycle kick. OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019, New Caledonia v Tahiti, Aorai Tini Hau, Tahiti, Friday 21st June 2019. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

After a six year hiatus the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup, previously known as the OFC Beach Soccer Championship, returned in 2019, with the winner qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ in Paraguay. In the six years between tournaments, Tahiti had caught the attention of the world by finishing runners up at the 2015 and 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™.

The 2019 edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup was held at the Aorai Tini Hau in Papeete, Tahiti, and was contested between five nations, the most in competition history. Each team played one another in a round-robin format, before the top two qualified for the final. Hosts Tahiti were joined by defending champions, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and debutants Tonga.

After missing out on the tournament in 2013, Tahiti marked their return to the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup with an 8-2 victory over Vanuatu in their opening fixture. The hosts followed that up with a 23-1 demolition of Tonga, whilst the Solomon Islands started with three wins from three to book their place in the final with a match to play. Both nations met on match day four in a dress rehearsal for the title decider, with Tahiti claiming the spoils 11-6 to secure top spot, before rounding out the group stage with a 100% record after beating New Caledonia 10-0 on the last day.

Tahiti celebrate winning the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019. OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019, Final, Tahiti v Solomon Islands, Aorai Tini Hau, Tahiti, Saturday 22nd June 2019. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

In a thrilling final, hosts Tahiti secured their second OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup title with a 4-3 victory over the Solomon Islands at the Aorai Tini Hau. Two goals from Heiarii Tavanae inspired Tahiti, who also booked their tickets to a fifth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™. Earlier, New Caledonia claimed the bronze medal with an 8-7 victory over Vanuatu after extra-time.

Despite picking up victories over both Mexico and Uruguay in the group stage, Tahiti failed to repeat the heroics of their consecutive runners-up finishes in 2015 and 2017, exiting at the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ in Paraguay for the first time since their debut in 2011.

Gonzalo Cazet of Uruguay and Heiarii Tavanae of Tahiti during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019 group B match between Tahiti and Uruguay at Estadio Mundialista Los Pynandi on November 25, 2019 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)