Solomon Islands club Mataks FC won the OFC Futsal Men's Champions League 2025 title in Suva on Sunday, with an 8-7 win on penalties over Waikato Rapids. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
Solomons Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu were winners at two different football competitions across the Pacific over the weekend.
Solomon Islands club Mataks FC captured the OFC Futsal Men's Champions League 2025 title in Suva on Sunday, with an 8-7 win on penalties over Waikato Rapids.
Their win came after the two teams were tied 4-4 at the end of the extra-time final.
In Port Moresby, the PNG women's side won the first Melanesian Cup women's title, following their 3-0 beating of Fiji in the final.
Vanuatu claimed the men's title, dethroning defending champions PNG 7-6 in the final, that game also decided on penalty kicks after the teams were tied 2-all after extra time play.
Solomon Islands club Mataks FC v Waikato Rapids in action on Sunday. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
Mataks win it
In Suva, the story was on how the Mataks FC upset the system to claim the OFC Futsal crown.
Having finished runners-up last year, the side came through a tough week to claim their final spot.
But they did not disappoint and handed New Zealand side Waikato Rapids their first loss at the event.
The Rapids entered the final as favourites, having gone through unbeaten.
They were on target to become the first team from New Zealand to raise the trophy.
However, the Mataks side did not allow them to control the flow of the game, winning the title in the end to emulate fellow Solomon club Kooline, who won the 2019 title.
OFC said both teams started patiently, working the ball around the court in search for the breakthrough.
The Waikato side opened scoring, with Benjamin Bordin hitting the back of the net in the 8th minute.
Mataks responded with Calvin Do'oro equalising and missed opportunities from Elis Mana and Owen Bunabo.
Waikato's defence held and they set up a number of counter-attacks, with one sending Bordin free again to score, giving the side a 2-1 lead at the break.
Mataks' Owen Bunabo levelled terms again at the resumption of the second half and the teams scored two goals each again, forcing the game to be decided through penalty kicks.
Waikato's George Dickson blasted his penalty over the top of the crossbar, sparking wild celebrations from Mataks, as the islanders celebrated to the cheering of local fans.
Melanesian titles
Vanuatu proved to be the best in the men's competition, beating PNG at their home ground.
Winning coach Lars Hopp said it was a great win for him and the team, in his first assignment on the job.
"Well it was a real final," he told OFC media post-match.
"Both teams took each other really till the end and it was all about fighting, trying to get bodies between the ball and our own goal.
"Like we said before the tournament, we gonna need everyone and everybody chipped in today."
PNG's head coach David Muta commended his team for their efforts throughout the tournament.
"Congratulations to Vanuatu for coming victors," he said.
"Well done to them, they played really well and they deserved to win
"To all the PNG boys I want to say I am very proud of them, they played really well, they utilized our game plan really well.
"The only thing is we could not score."
The two teams fought tooth and nail throughout the encounter, with Vanuatu leading 1-0 at halftime.
PNG fought back and forced a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time.
But in the end, PNG missed just one kick from the spot, while Vanuatu slotted all their five in to claim the win.
In the women's competition, the PNG side claimed the first title following their 3-0 win over Fiji.
Coming off from bench at the 35th minute, 'Player of the Match' Grace Batiy said they had to improvise during the heavy downpour to secure the Inaugural Womens MSG PMs Cup title.
"The coach send me in with a message to make a difference, play hard and get the result," she told OFC media post-match.
"The weather was a challenge."
Fiji coach Angeline Chua congratulated PNG and acknowledged the efforts her players put in.
"Congratulations to PNG and Fiji for playing the final and proud of the team for their performance," she said.
"We have known the PNG team for so long and when they play together we can see a lot of friendly rivalries but each of us know what we are playing for and we are playing for our own country."
Marie Kapu gave PNG a 1-0 advantage at halftime with her successful penalty kick from the spot.
Two more goals in the second half from Ramona Padio and Michealyne Butubu were enough to seal victory in the end for the home.
