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Both sides end atop the standings and will vie on Saturday for the OFC Nations Cup and the ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay
Oceania Beach soccer giants Tahiti and Solomon Islands faced off in a dress rehearsal for Saturday’s title decider at the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup in Papeete today.
Meanwhile New Caledonia all but secured their spot in the play-off for third place against Vanuatu by dismantling tournament underdogs Tonga in the day’s other match.
Tonga 1 : 10 New Caledonia
A competitive first period saw New Caledonia grab the iniative when Tongan goalkeeper Alimoni Kaufusi dropped a high ball and Jean-Jacques Katrawa was on hand to prod home the game’s opener.
Jacky Weinane volleyed in a second before Tupou Uhatahi kept Tonga in touch just before the break, hammering home a direct free kick from a handy position.
Felix Tagawa’s side then ignited their tournament in a dominant second period with three unanswered goals.
Georges Wakanumune and Antoine Roine scored with well-struck free kicks, while Jeremie Dokunengo’s strike was ruled to have crossed the line despite the protestations of the Tongan side.
The final period saw a tiring Tau Tahi put to the sword by Les Cagous.
Joseph Athale’s fine individual effort was followed Patrick Diaike’s deceptive strike and then the goal of the match arrived – a superb flick and volley from Roine that lit up Parc Aorai Tini Hau on what had been an overcast afternoon.
Roine capped off a memorable match, finishing off a fine team move for his hat-trick, before adding his fourth after another handling error from Kaufusi.
Solomon Islands 6 : 11 Tahiti
Despite the fact that both teams were more or less guaranteed a place in Saturday’s tournament-defining final, the first meeting between the two Oceania sand-based heavyweights for nearly a decade eclipsed all expectations.
Tearii Labaste drew first blood for the home side with a trademark scissors kick before Thompson Peter replied for Solomon Islands.
Heimanu Taiarui and Peter again traded blows to accentuate the feeling around the stadium that this one was going to go the full distance.
Ariihau Teriitau’s long ranger ensured Tiki Toa went to the break with the advantage and another Labaste special gave Naea Bennett’s side a two-goal cushion.
James Naka’s wonderful flick and volley pulled one back for Bilikiki before Teriitau nabbed his second with a superb strike from the kick off.
Solomon Islands’ star man Roy Mafane then scored from long range, and followed it up with a second from the penalty mark to make it all square at 5-all.
Taiarui, however, struck on the stroke of the whistle to ensure Tahiti went to the second break on top, much to the pleasure of the sizeable crowd at Parc Aorai Tini Hau.
The final period belonged Tiki Toa.
Teriitau nabbed his hat-trick, Heiarii Tavanae got himself on the score sheet for the first time this week and Patrick Tepa then fired home his ninth goal of the tournament.
His tenth followed soon after when another Labaste scissors kick deflected off the Tiki Toa number six and past Fred Hale in the Solomon Islands goal.
Heimanu’s volley gave him his second of the afternoon before Gideon Omokirio’s side found a late consolation when Angelo Tchen turned in Allen Farobo’s corner kick for an own goal.
The result guaranteed the two teams will meet in Saturday’s grand final, the playoff for Oceania’s spot in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019.
In the meantime, the final day of the group phase on Friday offers a bye and a rest for Solomon Islands, while Tahiti vastly superior goal difference almost certainly guarantees them a finish in pole position, regardless of the outcome of their final group match with New Caledonia.
Vanuatu have secured their place in the playoff for third and fourth, but they will want to finish strongly against Tonga in the opening match of the day.
Source: OFC official site
