Kurukuru claimed their fifth Oceania title after beating Fiji 5-0 in their final match of the 2016 Futsal Championship last Saturday in Fiji.
Four goals in the first half and a lone goal in the second stanza was enough for the local lads to book their ticket for the FIFA Futsal World Cup set to be staged in Colombia September this year.
The boys entered the pitch with confidence after enjoying a winning run in their last four matches.
And it takes them about six minutes of stunning action before Kurukuru’s skipper Elliot Ragomo broke the deadlock with a beautiful strike which put their fans and supporters into rapture.
Knowing the one nil lead is not safe, Jack Wetney added the second from a George Stevenson cross minutes after their first goal.
Despite trailing behind the host nation worked hard to at least register their consolation goal but to no avail.
Colman Makau then extended their lead after Talo set him up midway through the first half for their third goal before Robert Laua scored his first goal of the tournament three minutes before half time.
Both teams went for a beak with a 4-0 margin in favour of the defending champions.
Fiji came back strong in the second half living no rooms for Kurukuru to go pass them.
Despite the strong defence staged against the champions Kurukuru keep bombarding the host nation until five minutes before full time when Laua hammered the final nail on the coffin with a stunning strike after Wetney set him up for their fifth goal and the final one of the competition.
Jerry Sam told Sunday Sports from Fiji the atmosphere during the games was unbelievable.
He thanked the supporters and fans in Fiji and Solomon Islands for their prayers during the five days competition.
“The atmosphere here is hard to believe because we have USP students here who are our back bone supporters and I really thank the students for trusting us to give them the result,’’ he said.
“We all believe that our fans back home are looking forward for this victory as the road to Colombia is now confirmed.
“It’s a wonderful feeling and honour for me to work with this Kurukuru boys they have done us proud.
“We also have Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga and his delegation and some MPs of the Government here to watch and support us as well,’’ he added.
Sam also thanked God for the strength that he has given the team and for their victory.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
