Hosts Tahiti have made an early statement at the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup in Papeete
Defending champions, Tahiti have thrashed Tonga in their opening match of the tournament 26-3 to get their campaign underway.
Earlier in the day the Solomon Islands came from 2-1 down to defeat Fiji 6-3. Thomas Amasia scored a brace for the Bilikiki and earned the player of the match award.
Fiji: 3 (Rajneel SINGH 7’, Gabiriele MATANISIGA 14’, Ravneel PAL 31’)
Solomon Islands: 6 (Gabiriele MATANISIGA Own Goal 1’, Thomas AMASIA 15’, 25’, Max FA’ARI 18’, Albert BOBBY 23’, James NAKA 24′)
Tahiti’s comprehensive victory over Tonga was another reminder of their credentials. The two time FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup runners-up were in impressive form, dominating possession and showing the level of skill that has made them the dominant Beach Soccer force in Oceania.
Tahiti: 26 (Raimana LI FUNG KUEE ‘1, Patrick TEPA 2’, 4’, 13’, 13’, 19, 22’, Tamatoa TETAUIRA ‘3, 26’, Teaonui TEHAU ‘7, Jonathan TOROHIA 8’, 31’, Heirauarii SALEM 9’ 20’, 21’ 25’ 27’ 30’, Tearii LABASTE 9’, Roonui TINIRAUARII 20’, Heimanu TAIARUI 22’ 34’, Rainui TZE-YU 23’, 26’ 29’, Heiarii TAVANAE 28’)
Tonga: 3 (Sione TUTONE 19’, 21’, Harlen ULAVALU 36’)
Tomorrow’s matches see Tonga and Fiji meet at 2pm (TAHT) before Tahiti and the Solomon Islands meet at 4pm (TAHT).
The winner of this weeks tournament will represent Oceania at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai in February.
Results
Fiji 3-6 Solomon Islands
Tahiti 26-3 Tonga
Fixtures
Tonga vs Fiji
Tahiti vs Solomon Islands
Source: OFC
