Tahiti qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025

The OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2024 champions have been crowned, as Tatihiti secured a narrow 3-2 win over Solomon Islands in Honiara…

Final
With both teams failing to break the deadlock in the first period, Heimanu Terorotua found the back of the Solomon Islands net  to open the scoring in the fixture. Solomon Islands responded well, however, as Robert Laua capitalised on a defensive error from the Tahitians to equalise, to the delight of the home crowd in attendance.

Tahiti’s advantage was restored in the final patterns of play in the second period, as a wonderful bicycle kick from Tinirauarii made the score 2-1 to the defending champions.

Solomon Islands responded in the third and final period of the fixture as Wanega slammed the ball home to bring the hosts back on level terms for the second time in the match. However, it would be Tahiti to deal the final blow in the encounter, as Terorotua secured his brace and scored the title winning goal and a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 for his country.

Individual awards
During the awards ceremony, three individual awards were given out to the top performers from the competition as Tahita players dominated. Ramana Li Fung Kuee was the ‘Player of the Tournament’, Heirauarii Salem won the ‘Golden Boot’ and Teave Teamotuaitau won the ‘Golden Glove’.

Results – 26/10/2024
Final
Tahiti 3-2 Solomon Islands

3rd place match
Papua New Guinea 0-4 Fiji

Final standings
1. Tahiti
2. Solomon Islands
3. Fiji
4. Papua New Guinea 

Images courtesy of OFC Media via Ivan Photography.