22 Jun 2019

Sport: Tahiti stay unbeaten ahead of OFC Beach Soccer final

10:47 pm on 22 June 2019

Tahiti maintained their unbeaten record at the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup with a crushing 10-0 victory over New Caledonia in their final round-robin clash.

The Tiki Toa rested skipper Raimana Li Fung Kuee and the injured Ariihau Teriitau but still cruised to a fourth straight victory on home soil in Papeete.

Heimanu Taiarui opened the scoring in the first minute with a sensational chest and volley and completed his hat-trick inside 25 minutes, while Gervais Chan Kat, Teaonui Tehau, Heiarii Tavanae, Tearii Labaste and Patrick Tepa also got on the scoresheet.

Tahiti's Tearii Labaste does a bicycle kick during the Tiki Toa's 10-0 win over New Caledonia.

Tahiti's Tearii Labaste does a bicycle kick during the Tiki Toa's 10-0 win over New Caledonia. Photo: OFC via Phototek

The hosts will face Solomon Islands in the regional final on Saturday local time, with the winner advancing to the World Cup in Paraguay later this year.

Meanwhile Vanuatu thumped an injury-hit Tonga 15-3 in their final group game, with Loic Boulet bagging four goals while Don Mansale and Octav Meltecoin each nabbed a hat-trick.

Vanuatu proved too strong for Tonga.

Vanuatu proved too strong for Tonga. Photo: OFC via Phototek

Vanuatu will face New Caledonia in the play-off for third place prior to the title decider.

And while the Tau Tahi finished winless in their debut appearance in a beach soccer tournament a big cheer was reserved for the final moments when 16 year old Sione Tutone scored the final goal of the match.