Fiji and New Zealand end match on a dramatic 4-4 draw: 2011 OFC Championship - Futsal News
The fourth and last match of the first day of action at the Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship kicked-off in dramatic fashion, as Fiji and New Zealand ended their game on a 4-4 draw, in a tournament being staged at the Vodafone Arena
Suva, Fiji.
The host nation’s team is the runners-up of the last two OFC Futsal Championships. The Fijian outfit started with an impressive first goal scored by Sandeep Nair, in the third minute of the match.
The New Zealand squad, also known as Futsal Whites seemed contended while the ball was in possession of the Fijian squad. Futsal Whites Coach, Matt Chandler then called for a time-out and devised a new game plan. New Zealand captain, Marvin Eakins then scored
a goal and equalised the match in the 15th minute of the first-half of the match.
There were no more goals scored in the first-half. In the second-half, the Futsal White took the lead and netted the third goal of the match. It was Marvin Eakins who opened the gate for his sides, as team-mates Lucas Silva and Dylan Manickum scored two
more goals in the match.
The New Zealand Whites were leading until the 30th minute of the match, but the host nation’s team made a comeback and took control of the match in emphatic fashion. Uraia Loki and Ajesh Narayan scored two goals for Fiji, to bring the stadium
to life.
The New Zealand squad had almost won the match, when in the last minute Hussein Sahib from Fiji hit the net for the final time in the encounter. The game ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Both teams were awarded with one point on the scoreboard. The New Zealand squad will be facing the Kiribati team next, who have made their debut at the OFC Futsal Championship.
Kiribati lost against Vanuatu in their opening match, giving New Zealand a chance to make it to the semi-finals of the championship. The important match will be played on May 17.
Fiji, on the other hand, will face Vanuatu who has already won their opening match of the tournament in Group ‘A’ of the championship.
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