Solomon Islands champions Kooline made history by securing the first-ever OFC Futsal Champions League title on offer with a thrilling victory over AS PTT Noumea in Sunday’s title decider at Auckland’s Barefoot and Thompson Stadium.
Meanwhile, local hopeful AFF Futsal picked up the bronze medal after cruising past Tahiti’s As Pirea in the third-place play-off and Fiji’s Suva Futsal finished their campaign in fifth spot courtesy of a penalty shoot-out win over D’York Street from Vanuatu.
FINAL
Kooline FC 7-5 AS PTT Noumea
New Caledonian outfit AS PTT started the inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League title decider brightly, with a great early chance falling to Marcel Hnepeune who had two chances but couldn’t find the target.
Kooline looked dangerous, particularly from set-pieces, but it was from open play when Benjamin Mana and Elis Mana combined for the opening goal.
The Solomon Islands champions started to look comfortable in possession but AS PTT were still creating some good chances on the break, without being able to trouble the keeper.
A dramatic red card to Kurukuru talisman Alvin Hou midway through the first half stunned Kooline and completely changed the momentum of the game.
AS PTT, aided by the one-man advantage, responded immediately through Hary Hmaloko and from then it was an end to action until triple international Robert Laua drove home Elis Mana’s pass.
The New Caledonians responded immediately with a cool finish from Christ Pei who chipped the goalkeeper and the teams went into the break 2-2.
Christ Pei latched onto a long ball and rounded the keeper to steer home and AS PTT went ahead 3-2 to set up a thrilling second half.
The Noumea-based side took a more direct approach and with eight minutes left on the clock, Hmaloko ended a swift counter-attack with a fine finish to give Michel Wassin’s team a two-goal cushion.
Elias Mana found a third goal for Kooline following a corner but moments later AS PTT goalkeeper scored a sensational long-range chip to make it 5-3.
The game entered a final five minutes which saw a series of counter-attacks from both sides and Benjamin Mana’s goal meant a thrilling finale would be inevitable.
It was Elis Mana’s turn next to slot home from a wide-angle to even the ledger and from there AS PTT froze.
Benjamin Mana gave the lead to Kooline following a wonderful interplay with Laua before Elis Mana completed his hat-trick to sealed the dramatic win with a sensational inch-perfect looping shot from in front of his own goalmouth.
The victorious coach Stanley Puiarana couldn’t hide his delight following the pulsating encounter.
“It was a very exciting, an excellent game and I feel so proud and very happy,” he enthused.
“We made history and it’s been a great year for Solomon Islands futsal with Kooline winning here and the Kurukuru qualifying for the World Cup.
“I’m very proud of my players, they never gave up,” Puiarana pointed out.
”Even when our key payer Alvin Hou was sent off they kept fighting and delivering, I trusted them and believed in when they were two goals behind and time running out, I’m very proud of the boys.
“We made history for our nation our family back home and also for the fans here,” the delighted Kooline coach added.
Meanwhile, AS PTT star, Cedrick Humuni wasn’t looking for excuses.
“It was a close final, very little difference between the teams and a few small details decided the outcome, but credit to Kooline, they deserved their win.
“It’s been a fantastic tournament and we are disappointed after losing the final but also proud of our performances throughout the tournament and also proud to finish second,” Humuni said.
AWARDS
FAIR PLAY AWARD: AFF FUTSAL
GOLDEN GLOVES:
JOSEPH HAOATA (AS PIRAE FUTSAL)
GOLDEN BOOT: BENJAMIN
MANA (KOOLINE) – 8 GOALS
ATTA ELAYYAN AWARD –
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: ADAM LARCE-PAULSEN (AFF)
GOLDEN BALL: CHRIST
PEI (AS PTT NOUMEA)
