Winners again Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
Hosts Tahiti have retained their Oceania Beach Soccer Nations Cup title with a clinical 7-0 win over Solomon Islands in the final in Papeete.
They will now represent the region in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai early next year.
In front of a capacity crowd, the Tiki Toa showed all their big game experience and class to defeat the four-times ex-champions.
Tahiti got off to a cracking start by scoring after just 25 seconds through Heirauarii Salem and retained their lead throughout the three periods of play.
Salem score again for his brace, Teaonui Tehau also scored twice and Tamatoa Tetauira, Tainui Tze-Yu and Tearii Labaste all scored one apiece.
The Bilikili can’t prevent Tahiti, in red, from scoring Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
Salem was named player of the tournament.
Fiji’s Gabiriele Matanisiga won the golden boot with 12 goals, while Tahitian goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia was named goalkeeper of the tournament.
Tahiti captain Raimana Li Fung Kuee said the start was key for them.
“We had a good beginning, we scored quickly, and it was good for our confidence. We played the game of the tournament, we played well,” he said.
It will be the seventh time Tahiti has represented OFC at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup; they have reached the final twice.
Meanwhile, Fiji defeated Tonga 12-0 in the play-off for third place.
Gabiriele Matanisiga scored six goals for the Fijians who faced a Tongan side that put up a much better effort than when they lost 21-3 to the same team in round robin play.
Source: RNZ
