Fiji have taken the lead at the five-national OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup, while Tahiti have won their first match against their Solomon Islands hosts.
The tournament — the first of its kind in Oceania — will decide which nation represents the region at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines.
New Zealand had a rest day on Sunday, but the other four teams were in action.
Main photo: Claudia Votu of the Solomon Islands takes on Tahiti’s Marina Rameha. Photo credit: OFC Media / Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Fiji pick up second win at tournament
Match day two at the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup kicked off with Fiji making it two wins from two after a hard-fought victory over a resolute Tongan side.
Having secured an opening day win over Tahiti, coach Jerry Sam’s side got the perfect start, opening the scoring after just ten seconds.
Sofi Diyalowai took advantage of a mistake in the Tongan backline and fired confidently past Tonga goalkeeper Kalolaine Topui.
To Tonga’s credit, they responded well, denying Fiji time and space as they looked to build on their early advantage.
Koleta Likuculacula, who was her side’s Player of the Match in their opening game, was again an influential figure, but couldn’t find a way past Topui, with the goalkeeper putting in an impressive performance to keep the scoreline to 1-0.
It remained that way at half-time, but after the break Tonga were once again undone by an early strike. Diyalowai was again the goal scorer as Tonga coach Manu Tualau cut a frustrated figure on the touchline.
His side threatened intermittently on the break, with Ana Polovili the main attacking outlet but the Fijian defence were doing an admirable job of keeping her at bay.
A third goal arrived five minutes into the second period, with Likuculacula building on her excellent opening match performance with another goal to put the match beyond Tonga.
Tonga continued to toil but were unable to play their way through Fiji’s press and it felt only a matter of time before they added to their total.
On the half hour mark, the fourth duly arrived. Captain Unaisi Tuberi capped another impressive performance with her first goal of the tournament.
Topui continued to catch the eye in the Tonga goal despite the scoreline. The ‘keeper was on hand to save well from the onrushing Cema Nasau. Her side may have lost their two matches in the competition but the goalkeeper has been a standout on the court.
A further dampener was put on Tonga’s day when captain Ana Lauteau looked to pick up an awkward injury, requiring a length period of treatment on the court.
Tonga almost grabbed a late consolation. Tamaa Faletau put pressure on Maria Veronika before winning the ball and letting it fly with a rasping effort that stung the palms of Mereoni Tinaimakubuna in the Fiji net.
Tinaimakubuna was tested again on the break by Leeann Taufa’ao but the ‘keeper was up to the task.
Both sides will enjoy a day’s rest before Fiji face off against New Zealand and Tonga meet hosts Solomon Islands.
Tahiti take control against Solomon Islands
Coach Yoann Zanoletti’s Tahiti side secured their first win of the campaign, beating hosts Solomon Islands who made their first appearances at the tournament.
Despite the partisan support, Tahiti started the brighter of the two sides and found themselves two goals to the good in quick time.
A well-worked play found Lokelani Hauata in the area, who showed fast feet to drag the ball away from her marker before seeing her effort deflect past goalkeeper Serah Alpefolocia and into the net.
Moments later, it was 2-0. Solomon Islands captain Ileen Pegi struck the post from distance before minutes later giving the ball away deep in her own territory, watching as Tahiti’s Marina Rahema fired home.
Pegi would make amends for her error soon after, her effort from distance taking a cruel deflection that beat Tahiti goalkeeper Corail Harry and found the net.
Solomons continued to grow into the match and looked the more threatening of the sides but were made to pay for their attacking intent as the half reached its conclusion.
Tahiti made the most of the space left in behind the defensive line, and Aurelya Tissot took advantage to make it 3-1 and restore the Tahitians’ two-goal cushion, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.
The second period began with the same cut and thrust of the first, with Solomon Islands desperate to find a way back into the match.
It was Tahiti that went closest in the opening ten minutes of the half. Hereiti Manutahi tested Alpefolocia twice in quick succession, but the goalkeeper was up to the task and kept her side in the game.
Solomons came narrowly close to reducing arrears when Madeline Arukau latched onto the end of a cross, but her close-range header was repelled excellently by Harry.
With just over seven minutes left on the clock, Tahiti put the match beyond much doubt, when Vateanui Deane scored from close range to quieten the crowd and ensure her side would register their opening win at the tournament.
Kohai Mai added a fifth for Tahiti, rubbing salt into the wounds for coach Arthur Barko and his players.
The hosts take on Tonga on Tuesday, while Tahiti enjoy an extended rest before their own fixture against Tonga on Thursday.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful for the help of OFC Media in providing information for this story.
Results
Games played on Sunday August 18, 2024
Fiji 4 (Sofi Diyalowai 1′, 21′, Koleta Likuculacula 25′, Unaisi Tuberi 30′)
Tonga 0
Tahiti 5 (Lokelani Hauata 3’, Marina Rahema 8’, Aurelya Tissot 17’, Vateanui Deane 33′, Kohai Mai 35′)
Solomon Islands 1 (Ileen Pegi 11’)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Tuesday August 20, 2024
Fiji v New Zealand
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 4pm (NZT)
Tonga v Solomon Islands
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 6pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday August 22, 2024
Tonga v Tahiti
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 4pm (NZT)
Solomon Islands v New Zealand
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 6pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday August 23, 2024
New Zealand v Tahiti
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 4pm (NZT)
Solomon Islands v Fiji
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 6pm (NZT)
This story was first published on August 19, 2024.
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