The Solomon Islands Kurukuru put on a commanding performance at Vodafone Arena, maintaining their undefeated streak with a 5-2 victory over host nation Fiji. From the start, the Kurukuru dominated possession and displayed relentless attacking prowess, with key players Owen Bunabo and Alvin Hou leading the charge. Fiji’s captain, Kitione Baleloa, made several excellent saves during the opening exchanges to keep his team in the game.
Despite Baleloa’s efforts, the pressure from the Solomon Islands eventually paid off. Jayroll Patty scored to give the Kurukuru the lead, which was further extended by Calvin Do’oro, who added two goals— one from a powerful solo strike and another from a well-orchestrated set piece. This solid first-half performance left the Kurukuru in a commanding position going into the break.
Fiji showed resilience in the second half, creating opportunities and attempting to disrupt their opponent’s rhythm. However, the Solomon Islands maintained their composure and regained the attacking momentum. Owen Bunabo capitalized on a rebound to score the fourth goal, followed shortly by a fifth from Alvin Hou, taking advantage of a defensive lapse on Fiji’s part.
Fiji managed to respond in the final minutes with goals from Nikil Chand and Filipe Baravilala, providing a glimmer of hope and a positive note for their fans. Despite the late efforts, the Kurukuru controlled the pace and secured another impressive victory.
The Solomon Islands aim to continue this momentum in their upcoming match against Vanuatu, while Fiji will seek to regroup and prepare for their next challenge against Tuvalu. This match showcased the Solomon Islands’ strategic play and depth in attack, reaffirming their stature in the regional futsal scene.