After two losses in their opening matches against Italy and Spain at the ANOC World Beach Games in Doha, Qatar, the Solomon Islands Bilikiki were eliminated from the competition by a ruthless Mexico, going down 8-2 in their final encounter.
Solomon Islands had shown themselves to be a worthy opponent to the Europeans, but seemingly fell apart against the Mexicans only troubling the keeper twice and having a forgettable third period.
Vizcarra scored either side of Fa’ari’s equaliser in a balanced opening period. At the start of the second, Kepangi received a booking for catching Franco in the act of charging down the Mexican goalkeeper. Fa’ari had a dangerous free kick saved by the same man before Maldonado scored his side’s third of the night.
Roy Mafane has provided some moments of impressive quality in his three matches in Doha, and a rambunctious run culminated in him driving the ball with his left foot only just wide of Franco’s right-hand post.
Vizcarra hit the post from an acute angle at the end of the second period, deprived thus far of his hat-trick goal, before Koipala opened the scoring in the final period bringing the score within one.
Vizcarra did in the third what he failed to do in the second and thus concluded his treble, after Mendez had responded promptly to Koipala’s gambit.
A Villa strike, capitalising on an out-of-position goalkeeper, and two more from Maldonado to join team-mate Vizcarra with a hat-trick before the end of the night embellished the scoreboard, and the prevailing sensation, for Mexico who finally have a win. Solomon Islands, unfortunately, go home winless but with plenty of experience.
Goals; 1-0: Vizcarra, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Fa’ari, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Vizcarra, min. 1 (1); 3-1: Maldonado, min. 3 (2); 3-2: Koipala, min. 10 (3); 4-2: Mendez, min. 10 (3); 5-2: Vizcarra, min. 4 (3); 6-2: Villa, min. 3 (3); 7-2: Maldonado, min. 1 (3); 8-2: Maldonado, min. 0 (3)
Additional reporting: Beach Soccer Worldwide