Solomon Islands wins FUTSAL Championship July 10, 2009
The Solomon Islands FUTSAL side reigned supreme in the 2009 Oceania Football Confederation FUTSAL Championship in Suva after finishing the week long tourney undefeated.
The young Kurukurus outclassed host nation Fiji in a one sided final 8-1 to seal the top spot and maintain their number one status in the Oceania region.
With core of its team comprising of the same players that featured in the World Cup in Brazil last season, the Dickson Kadau mentored side was a class above the rest as its players stormed the Vodafone Arena with their wonderful display of skills and knowledge in the abbreviated code of football which is becoming very popoular all across the globe.
The team did not lack support all throughout the tourney as a huge turnout of Solomon Islanders currently residing in Fiji filled the Arena sits with their flags, ballons and horns to cheer their boys on.
Captain Elliot Ragomo, Micah Lea'alafa and sensational Jack Wetney were the stars in the final as they each got a brace to dump the Fijians who just could not match the crafty islanders.
Below is a breakdown of how the final progressed:
2nd minute update Both teams are taking a cautious approach and trying to build play within their own territory. Possession so far is equally shared.
5th minute update Micah Lea'alafa has opened the scoring for the Kurukuru after connecting well with Ragomo.
9th minute update Fiji goalie makes two grand saves to keep the scorline intact. Fiji's Mudaliar is shown the first yellow card of the match. The Solomons bench has called for a time out (break). Play resumes.
11th minute update A mistake by Fiji keeper Simione Tamanisau who ran out of his goal has seen Jenan Kapu extend Solos lead to 2-0.
15th minute update Another mistake by the Fiji players sees Jack Wetney sneak in with the third goal for the Solomon Islands.
17th minute update Fiji goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau has pulled one back after lobbing a long ball over Alick Lioka. Ragomo converts a penalty to extend solos lead to 4-1
Halftime update Fiji players have committed foul after foul which has seen Ragomo convert one more penalty to give the Kurukuru a commanding 5-1 lead at halftime.
Halftime score: Solomon Islands 5-1 Fiji
The second has commenced with the Kurukurus attacking on the Fiji goalmouth.
25th minute update Fiji defender Aisea is shown a red card for handling the ball in his goal area. James Egeta converts the penalty to put the Solos up by 6-1.
30th minute update Fiji is putting the pressure but is unable to go past the Kurukuru defence. Fiji has replaced its goalkeeper and Solos have also changed their goalkeeper.
35th minute update Replacement Fiji goalie Emori Ragata makes a couple of good saves to deny the Solo boys their seventh goal as we head into the last five minutes of the game.
39th minute update Jack Wetney has scored Solomon Islands 7th goal through his individual brilliance.
Normal time has elapsed and we are now in referees time. Stoppages for court mobbing, injuries and so on are taken into account.
Lea'alafa has netted goal number eight for the Solomon Islands.
Fulltime update Its all over here at the Vodafone Arena in Suva and the Kurukurus have again reigned supreme in the OFC FUTSAL championship. The Arena is a scene to watch with Solomon Islands flags flown all over and singing and chants filling the Arena. It is an electrifying atmosphere here as we prepare for the presentation ceremony. Final score: Solomon Islands 8-1 Fiji
The teams: Fiji- Simione Tamanisau, Mira Sahib, Sandeep Nair, Dinesh Mudaliar, Shivam Nathan, Mohammed Shalmeen, Aisea Codro, Kamal Hassan, Uraia Loki, Christopher Kumar, Emori Ragata.
Solomon Islands- Alick Lioka, Philip Houtarau, Elliot Ragomo, Paul Huia, Jenan Kapu, Moffat Sikwa’ae, James Egeta, Francis Lafai, Micah Lea’alafa, Stanley Puairana, Ron Ginio, Jack Wetney. Fijilive
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