Kamal Hassan scored an incredible eight goals in Fiji’s 13-2 win over Tuvalu in the opening game of match day six at the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva, Fiji.

The Rewa striker scored the first five goals of the match in a one-man-assault on the Tuvalu backline before Neemia Onosemu pulled one back for Tuvalu just before halftime.

Mira Sahib, Sandeep Sanjesh Nair, Azmat Begg and Assis Chand added to the scoreline in the second half for Fiji in a clinical display of finishing.

Tuvalu scored two late consolation goals through Semalie Fotu and Paitela Kelemene.

Fijian Coach Imtiaz Khan said that despite a wilting squad his team kept pushing through tired legs.

“We played with only seven players today because of injuries and tiredness. We will give it our best shot tomorrow against New Zealand but it gets more difficult as the tournament wares on.

“I know that with the right preparation and if our players didn’t come straight out of the Fiji FACT tournament we could have done very well at this tournament. We will come out stronger next year.”

Tuvalu coach Sami Neemia was also finding it difficult to manage his sides tired legs.

“Our players were very weak today. There are niggling injuries throughout our squad but we can’t replace them now. We are a team of wounded players.

“But we will finish this through to the end. We have improved a lot at this tournament and I am happy with our progress.”

Photos by Marc Peretic Wilson

FIJ: 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 5. Nayzal Siga Ali; 9. Kamal HASSAN;12. Nishad Wasim ALI (GK);

SUBS: 1. Azmat BEGG (RGK); 6. Assis CHAND; 8. Muni Arvindra NAIDU; 10. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 11. Imtiaz BEGG;

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

Goals: 9. Kamal HASSAN 9’, 10’, 12’, 18’, 19’; 26’, 37’, 40’; 2. Mira SAHIB 20’; 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR 27’, 6. Assis CHAND 36’;

Absent: 4. Alvin AVINESH; 7. Vikash PRASAD;

TUV: 1. Sopepe TAILOLO; 3. Tioti Maati TOAFA; 11. Imo FIAMALUA; 19. Mahanga TEIAPUTI; 21. Maio ETIMANI;

SUBS: 2. Felo FEOTO; 5.Mau PENISULA; 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 8. Peniuna KAITU; 9. Starchel SOLOSENI; 10. Semalie FOTU; 17. Neemia ONOSEMU; 22. Peniuna KAITU;

Coach: Toakai PUAPUA(TUV)

Goals: 8. Peniuna KAITU 17’;

Referee: Stephan PARAGE (NCL)

2nd Referee: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)

3rd Referee: Jamie CROSS (NZL)

Timekeeper: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)

Referees’ Assessor: Neil POLOSO (SOL)