Skills galore as Kurukuru outclass Kiwis August 09, 2010
By Reginald Chandar
Defending champion Solomon Islands Kurukuru set day two of the 2010 OFC Futsal Championship alight with their brilliant display against New Zealand, winning 8-4.
The young and nippy crafty islanders kept the Laucala crowd on the edge of their seats throughout the 40 minutes of the exciting clash.
New Zealand started off strongly and forward Micky Malivuk opened the scoring early in the first half to shock the Solomon Islanders.
But Micah Lea’alafa brought the crowd to its feet when he walked past the New Zealand defence to equalize for the Kurukuru.
Malivuk once again put the Kiwis ahead and Jenan Kapu equalized to keep his side into the match.
But a defensive blunder allowed Malivuk to get his hat-rick in the match and New Zealand led 3-2 at halftime.
Some stern pep talk by Coach Dickson Kadau saw the Solomon Islanders going on attack after the restart and Lea’alafa was in the right place at the right time to equalize the match and make things further exciting.
Jack Wetney scored another scintillating goal to take Kurukuru into the lead and Lea’alafa contributed two more goals for a 6-3 lead.
New Zealand pulled one back through Marvin Eakins but captain Elliot Ragomo had the final say in the match as he scored two spectacular goals to end the match on high note for the champs.
Kadau praised the efforts of his players and said his advice at halftime motivated the players to dominate the second half and score the goals that mattered.
“New Zealand kept us under pressure from the opening whistle and my young players who were not physiologically prepared started to make mistakes but my words of encouragement changed everything around in the second half,” he said.
“I told them to play with their mind and not their heart and also told them not too get too excited with the support that we were receiving from the stands.”
“Elliot led by example and kept the boys focused on the task and we managed to frustrate New Zealand and get the goals and the win.”
“My young team is under immense pressure in this championship but I am trying my best to keep them mentally prepared for the challenges” added Kadau. New Zealand coach Matthew Chandler said his team played well despite the loss and said with more game time they would be a force to reckon in future.
“We played very well and the first half belonged to us as we scored the goals and also had more possession but the second half was completely dominated by the Solomon players and we were forced into defence.”
“They are a class side and it certainly was a delight to play against them. They have been to a lot of international meets and have been a consistent and experienced side unlike us as we prepared for only six weeks for this championship.”
“NZ Football is doing its best to help us grow further in Futsal and with their support; we should go far in the near future.”
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