6-1 thrashing of Vanuatu to make it four wins in a row
KURUKURU have again proved their supremacy in the 2016 OFC championship in Fiji thrashing Vanuatu 6-1 in a stunning showdown, Friday at the Vodafone Arena.
Three goals in both stanzas were enough for the local lads to keep their position on the top spot.
The match kicked off on high note with both sides firing shots on each other’s goal keepers but with the wealth of World Cup experiences, futsal wizard Micah Lea’alafa finished off Jack Wetney’s cross six minutes after kick off.
The opener sent the predominantly Kurukuru mad fans and supporters into rapture.
While they were still in the mood of celebration Jack Wetney ignited the celebration with a stunning goal more than a minute after his first.
Vanuatu never stopped with shots coming from all over the court but between Anthony Talo and some quality defence, it just wasn’t coming off for the Ni-Vanuatu.
Despite trailing behind Vanuatu keep pressing hard and manage to reduce the gap midway through the first half with a goal coming from Ben Hungai but just before half time George Stevenson further extend their lead.
Both teams then went for a break with a 3-1 margin.
Vanuatu, who came from behind to beat New Caledonia 6-3 in their previous encounter, could not do the same to the mighty Kurukurus who are determine to win this tournament and qualify for 2016 Futsal World Cup in Columbia.
However, Vanuatu’s defence stand firm in the second half stopping Kurukuru from further extending their lead but it was paid off when George Stevenson added this second goal of the match and fifth of the tournament seven minutes before full time.
The fifth and six goals were another stunning strikes from Micah and James Egeta that sealed their fourth victory in the tournament.
The other results yesterday saw Tahiti narrowly defeating New Caledonia 2-1 while Fiji went down to New Zealand 3-1.
The competition will conclude today with final matches.
Vanuatu will take on Tahiti in the first match to be followed by Kurukuru against Fiji and New Zealand against Tahiti.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands is leading the tournament with 12 points, New Zealand 9 points, Tahiti 6 points Vanuatu 6 points, New Caledonia 6 points while Fiji yet to register any points.
The winner of the tournament will represent Oceania in this year’s Futsal World Cup in Colombia.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
