The Solomon Islands maintained their impressive form as they took to the court on the third day of the Futsal tournament, entering the competition with a streak of two victories. As they faced Vanuatu, a team struggling to find a win in the tournament thus far, the ‘Kurukuru’ team, led by their skilled players Alvin Hou, Elis Mana, and Calvin Do’oro, launched an aggressive offensive right from the beginning.
Despite Vanuatu’s hardships in matching the swift pace set by the Solomon Islands, their defense held strong, largely thanks to a remarkable performance by goalkeeper Charlie Boe. Showcasing their tactical capabilities, Vanuatu’s captain Michel Coulon along with Kemly Lehi and Kevin Donald, worked to create potential scoring opportunities whenever in possession.
The first half seemed destined to end without any goals until Solomon Islands’ Jayroll Patty broke through, achieving a significant goal which put his team ahead 1-0 as the first half ended. Undeterred, Vanuatu responded in the second half with a surprising long-range effort by Paul Takaro, who managed to equalize, offering a morale boost to his team.
In an attempt to regain the lead, Solomon Islands’ players Do’oro and Hou launched several long-distance strikes, yet Boe’s consistent defense in goal thwarted their efforts. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw after numerous missed opportunities on both sides.
In another match, host nation Fiji celebrated their second win of the tournament by defeating Tuvalu. Fiji, spearheaded by Bruce Hughes’ excellent free-kick, capitalized on a defensive misstep by Tuvalu. Fiji maintained control, securing a 3-0 lead by halftime with Filipe Baravilala and Rajneel Singh adding to the pressure. Ramzan Khan further extended Fiji’s lead, resulting in a 4-1 final score, despite Tuvalu’s solitary consolation goal netted by Aloesi Nukualofa.
Overall, the third day of the tournament underscored Solomon Islands’ resilience and skillful play, while Fiji showcased their evolving team dynamics and commanding presence. The tournament remains an engaging spectacle for fans and participants, highlighting the competitive spirit and skill prevalent in the event.