Solomon Islands opened the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup with a 10-5 win over New Caledonia at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae on 25 October, with hat-tricks from Erick Wanega and Adrian Mara.
Solomon Islands players celebrate during their 10-5 win over New Caledonia at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae.
Source: OFC Media via Phototek
Solomon Islands opened their OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup campaign with a 10-5 win over New Caledonia at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae, Tahiti, on 25 October.
Erick Wanega and Adrian Mara scored three goals each as Solomon Islands beat a New Caledonian side playing at the tournament for the first time in seven years. Nine of the 10 goals came in the first two periods.
New Caledonia had failed to score in either of their two previous meetings with Solomon Islands at the tournament, but took the lead inside the opening four minutes through Jean-Pierre Ayawa, their only returning player from the 2019 campaign.
The lead lasted moments. Wanega replied immediately from the restart, and Mara, Roy Mafane and goalkeeper Roy Funusui also scored as Solomon Islands took a 4-1 lead into the first break.
The second period was their most productive. Wanega scored twice in 60 seconds to complete the tournament's first hat-trick, a performance that earned him the player of the match award, and the Bilikiki Boys added three more goals before the second break to lead 9-3.
New Caledonia conceded just once in the third period and scored four of the match's final six goals. Gilles Xanatre finished with two, while Makalue Xowi and Daniel Tagawa also scored. Mara completed his hat-trick with the only Solomon Islands goal of the final period.
New Caledonia: 5 (Jean-Pierre AYAWA 4', Gilles XANATRE 20', 23', Makalue XOWI 25', Daniel TAGAWA 36')
Solomon Islands: 10 (Erick WANEGA 4', 14', 14', Adrian MARA 5', 20', 29', Roy MAFANE 10', Roy FUNUSUI 12', Ramsy MELO 19', Own Goal 20')
Later in the day, hosts Tahiti beat Vanuatu 18-1 on home sands, scoring eight goals in the first period, seven in the second and three in the third. Oceania Football Confederation said the margin was six goals short of the largest in tournament history.
Three players scored hat-tricks for the Tiki Toa, including 2024 Golden Boot winner Heirauarii Salem, who finished with seven goals and the player of the match award. Ro'onui Tinirauarii scored five and Roonui Lesca three, with Tearii Labaste, Matatia Paama and Gervais Chan Kat also on the scoresheet.
Vanuatu, back after a seven-year absence, won the first three tournament meetings between the nations in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Batis Alick scored their goal in the 19th minute.
Solomon Islands next face Tahiti, while New Caledonia meet Vanuatu, when play resumes at Aorai Tini Hau on Monday.
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