The result sets up an exciting top of the table clash tomorrow night where the winner will be firm favourites to advance to the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil in September.

In other matches New Caledonia and Tahiti fought out a 2-2 draw while New Zealand beat Tuvalu 13-1in the last match of the night.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu both sit two points clear of third placed Tahiti who fought back from a two goal deficit to earn a point in the opening match of the day.

New Caledonia opened the scoring in the third minute of the match when Yvan Pourouoro converted from close range after a swift New Caledonia counter attack.

Jerry Iaruel increased the lead for New Caledonia two minutes into the second half and it looked as if they were set to collect their first win of the tournament.

But the Tahitian spirit should never be counted out and goals to Yvan Pourouoro and Riaria kept alive Tahiti’s shot at the championship.

For Vanuatu it was Jack Viro Ala who opened the scoring, penetrating the Fijian backline before slotting the ball under Fiji goalkeeper Nishad Wasim Ali.

They added to their lead in the twelfth minute when Derek Malas converted the first of his two goals on the evening.

Fiji looked like they were set to stage a comeback when Sandeep Sanjesh Nair drew one back for the hosts but it only served to inspire Vanuatu into pushing more numbers forward and goals to Louis Dominique, Ala and Malas sealed the win.

Assis Chand scored a late consolation goal for Fiji with three minutes left to play.

New Zealand received a much needed moral booster after their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Tahiti last night and got it care of a 13-1 victory over Tuvalu.

Kiwi captain Bakr Al Saudi went on a scoring rampage opening his tournament account in the second minute and closing it – seven goals later – in the 40th minute.

It was the most comprehensive win of the tournament so far and six New Zealand players found the scoresheet including Ouadhah Ragued, Marvin Eakins, Gregory O’Connor, Yukin Naidoo and Andrew Gwilliam.

Mahanga Teiaputi scored a consolation goal for Tuvalu in the 35th minute much to the crowds delight and despite their tiring legs the newcomers to the tournament never gave up.

Photos by Marc Peretic Wilson

OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP GOLDEN BOOT

No Name   Team  Goals

10 Jack Vira Ala  VAN  9
9 Micah Lea’alafa  SOL  7
6 Derek Malas  VAN  7
3 Elliot Ragomo  SOL  6
9 Kamal HASSAN  FIJ  5
14 Bakr AL SAUDI  NZL  6
8 Yvan Pourouoro  NCL  4
6 Michel Maihuri  TAH  4
5 Jenan Kapu  SOL  3
3 Sandeep Sanjesh Nair FIJ  3
6 Moffat Sikwa’ae SOL  2
8 Francis Lafai   SOL  2
12 Jack Wetney   SOL  2
7 James Egeta   SOL  2
3 Alexandre ROSSO NCL  2
2 Mira Sahib  FIJ  2
3 Ben Edward  VAN  2 
9 Siardon Talkanamai  VAN  2

New Caledonia v Tahiti

NCL: 1. Ronan EUZEN (GK); 3. Alexandre ROSSO; 4. Albert HNAILOLO; 5. Jerry IARUEL;  7. EDOUARD MURACCIOLI;

SUBS: 2. Jean Phillipe WEMAMA; 6. Benoit MOGLIA; 9. Yoan GARIN; 10. Marcias GINO RENE; 11. Stevens GUILLEMIN; 8. Yvan POUROUORO; 16. Ronald GAYON (RGK);

Coach: Michalak ERIC (NCL)

Goals: 8. Yvan Pourouoro 2’; 5. Jerry IARUEL 23’;

TAH: 1. Rehia DAVIO (GK); 3. Jimmy RIARIA; 4. Romeo PATIRA; 6. Michel MAIHURI; 7. Steeven TINO;

SUBS: 2. Matana BEA; 5. Lysis TAUHA; 8. Tetuanui TINOMOE; 9. Lorama BEA; 10. Usiera PUKOKI; 11. Amau TETUANUI; 12. Fernand TUANUA;

Coach: Rani BEA (TAH)

Goals: 7. Steeven TINO 29’; 3. Jimmy RIARIA 35’ ;

Referee: Chris COLLEY (AUS)

2nd Referee: Jamie CROSS (NZL)

3rd Referee: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)

Timekeeper: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)

Referees’ Assessor: Chandra SEGRAN (FIJ)

Vanuatu v Fiji

VAN: 1. Chikau MANSALE; 2. Terry QUARE; 3. Ben EDWARD; 6. Derek MALAS; 10. Jack Vira ALA;

SUBS: 4. Lui SIFAS; 5. Fedy VAVA; 7. Ben HUNGAI; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE; 9. Siardon Mera TALKANAMAL; 11. Saen Wowut FANAI; 22. Daniel MANSALE (GK);

Coach: Marcellino BARTHELEMY (VAN)

Goals: 10. Jack Vira ALA 2’, 26’; 6. Derek MALAS 12’, 32’; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE 26’;

FIJ: 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 4. Alvin AVINESH; 6. Assis CHAND; 9. Kamal HASSAN; 12. Nishad Wasim ALI (RGK)

SUBS: 1. Azmat BEGG (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 5. Nayzal Siga Ali; 7. Vikash PRASAD; 8. Muni Arvindra NAIDU;10. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 11. Imtiaz BEGG; Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

Goals: 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 6. Assis CHAND;

Referee: Scott KIDSON (AUS)

2nd Referee: Francois TROLLIARD (NCL)

3rd Referee: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)

Timekeeper: Stephane PARAGUE (NCL)

Referees’ Assesor: Neil POLOSO (SOL)

New Zealand v Tuvalu

NZL: 4. Marvin EAKINS; 8. Joshua MARTIN; 10. Ouadhah RAGUED; 14. Bakr Al SAUDI; 20. Clayton CHAPPELL (GK),

SUBS: 1. Elias BILLEH (RGK); 5. Yukin NAIDOO; 3. Andrew GWILLIAM; 19. Michael CORRINGHAM; 12. Luke FIELD; 17. Victor ZAIA; 23. Gregory O’CONNOR

Coach: Erkin Osman (AUS)

Goals: 14. Bakr Al SAUDI 2’,5’, 15’, 16’; 32’; 40’; 10. Ouadhah RAGUED 15’; 4. Marvin EAKINS 21’; 23. Gregory O’CONNOR 23’; 3. Andrew GWILLIAM 37’;

TUV: 1. Sopepe TAILOLO (GK); 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 8. Peniuna KAITU; 11. Imo FIAMALUA; 21. Maio ETIMANI;

SUBS: 2. Felo FEOTO; 3. Tioti Maati TOAFA; 5.Mau PENISULA; 9. Starchel SOLOSENI; 17. Neemia ONOSEMU; 19. Mahanga TEIAPUTI; 10. Semalie FOTU

Coach: Sami NEEMIA (TUV)

Goals: 19. Mahaga TEIAPUTI 35’;

Referee: Allan ALICK (VAN)

2nd Referee: Rajnish DAVE (FIJ)

3rd Referee: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)

Timekeeper: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)

Referee’s Assessor: Massimo RAVEINO (TAH)