Tahiti pip Solomon Islands 10-9 at the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup in Honiara. 22 October 2024 Photo: OFC Media via Ivan Photography
Tahiti edged hosts Solomon Islands 10-9 and newcomers Papua New Guinea stunned Fiji 8-6 in the opening day of the Oceania Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup in Honiara on Tuesday.
The winner of the four-team round-robin competition will secure a spot at next year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles.
In the first game, PNG - making their first international beach soccer - left Fiji wanting after they kicked-off their campaign scoring one of the fastest goals in international Beach Soccer history.
The stunned Fijians went 3-nil down before starting to claw their way back into the match, closing the gap to one point with a few minutes to go before PNG's Ellygia Benard drilled home to complete his hattrick and give his team a two goal buffer and secure the win.
In the second match, the Tiki Toa, FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup quarter finalists in January in Dubai, broke the hearts of the when Heirauarii Salem scored the winning goal with a bicycle kick in the final minute.
OFC Media reported that the game between Tahiti and Solomon Islands "may well go down as the greatest Beach Soccer match in Oceania history".
Tahiti have been a dominant forced in Oceania and World Beach Soccer for more than a decade, having played in two FIFA World Cup finals.
Round robin matches will continue on Wednesday and Thursday and the final scheduled for Friday.
-OFC