9 Jul 2007

Solomon Islands defend beach football title

9:46 am on 9 July 2007

The Bilikiki Boys from Solomon Islands are once again OFC Beach Soccer Champions after beating Vanuatu 5-3 in Auckland on Sunday night.

The Solomon Islands took an early 2-nil lead, but Vanuatu came back to be within 1 goal in the third period 3-4.

But eventual player of the tournament - James Naka scored the winning goal for Solomon Islands sending them to Brazil in November for the FIFA World Beach Soccer Cup.

In the earlier game, New Zealand in their first ever Oceania event defeated Tahiti 5-3 to take third place.

In the awards section, New Zealand took Fair play trophy, Best goal keeper went to : Chikau MANSALE from Vanuatu, Top scorer, went to Tahiti's Teva Zaveroni, who scored 11 goals.