New Zealand Futsal Whites defeat Vanuatu, 6-4: 2011 OFC Futsal Championship
The New Zealand Futsal Whites made it to the semi-finals by defeating Vanuatu by 6-4 at the 2011 Oceania Futsal Championship (OFC) Futsal Championships. Futsal Whites also crushed the hopes of the host nation, Fiji to reach the semi-finals.
The last match of the group round proved to be the most interesting match of the tournament. The match was important for the New Zealand’s outfit, but it was also a decider of the fate of the Fiji squad.
Futsal Whites made an impressive start and Jakub Sinkora scored a brace in the opening minutes of the first half of the match. Vanuatu team responded quickly and Nathan Robertson scored the first goal from Vanuatu side. The hopes of the Vanuatu teams faced
a setback when Jack Vira Ala was dismissed in the 11th minute of the game.
The Vanuatu squad was one man short, but Don Mansale the second goal for his team just few second before the half time. Don Mansale and Robertson levelled the score at 3-3 in the first five minutes of the second half.
The Futsal Whites took a step ahead, Dylan Manickum and Micky Malivuk scored two further goals for their side. Vanuatu squad responded and Fredy Vava scored the fourth goal for his side and closed the gap to 4-5 with the Futsal Whites.
Greg O’Connor scored the sixth goal for New Zealand and they sealed the match with 6-4 and made to the semi-finals.
The coach of the Futsal Whites was happy and said, “We played a very good team tonight – I think Vanuatu are one of the most improved sides in the tournament and they were outstanding. It was pleasing that when they did get the momentum I thought we reacted
really well which we didn’t do against Fiji in the first game.”
For Vanuatu this loss was not important as they have already qualified for the semi-finals earlier on the second day of action. They will be facing Solomon Island in the semi-finals.
The coach of the Vanuatu squad Jean-Yves Galine said, “We will now play the Solomon Islands in the semi-final and we must find a way to beat them because our goal has always been to make the final and then win the tournament.”
The Futsal Whites will be facing Tahiti in the first semi-final of the championship going to be played on May 19, at the Vodafone Arena Suva, Fiji.
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