Tahiti and Solomon Islands reach final

Tahiti and the Solomon Islands have both qualified for the final of the Oceanian Nations Beach Soccer Championship, which will be held on Saturday at Aorai tini hau. Tahiti defeated New Caledonia 12-3 on Wednesday, while the Solomon Islands beat Vanuatu 7-2.

Final rematch for the teams

This marks the second time the two teams will meet in the final of the tournament, with Tahiti having previously defeated the Solomon Islands 7-4 in the group stage. The teams have a history of competing closely in this regional competition.

Tahiti's strong group stage performance

Tahiti has been dominant in the competition, securing three victories in the group stage, including an 18-1 win against Vanuatu on Saturday and a 7-4 victory over the Solomon Islands on Monday. Their strong performance has made them favorites to win the title and qualify for the 2027 Beach Soccer World Cup.

Tahiti's offensive display against New Caledonia

Tahiti's victory over New Caledonia was marked by a strong offensive display, with Heirauarii Salem scoring four goals and Ro’onui Tinirauarii adding three. Other contributors included Heimanu Taiarui, Tearii Labaste, Gervais Chan Kat, and Rainui Tze-Yu. New Caledonia's goalkeeper, Luc Washetine, made several key saves to limit the damage.

Tahiti's captain prepares for final

Tahiti's captain, Heimanu Taiarui, expressed cautious optimism ahead of the final, noting that the team had focused on correcting mistakes made against the Solomon Islands and ensuring players remained injury-free. He acknowledged the Solomon Islands' strengths, particularly their speed and agility on the sandy surface, and emphasized the need for Tahiti to adapt their strategy.

Solomon Islands in good physical condition

The Solomon Islands are also expected to be in good physical condition, having played a more relaxed match against Vanuatu. The two teams have shared the Oceanian Nations title four times each, but Tahiti has won the last three editions, including the 2025 tournament held in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Schedule for final and third-place match

The third-place match between New Caledonia and Vanuatu will take place on Saturday at 14:00, followed by the final between Tahiti and the Solomon Islands at 16:00, with expected strong attendance to support the Tahitian team.