Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, is set to host the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup, which begins today. Four Pacific Island nations—Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Tahiti—are gearing up for four days of thrilling football.
Fiji is approaching the tournament with dedication, prepared to make an impact under the guidance of head coach Jerry Sam, who emphasized the team’s goal of gaining valuable experience. The national squad will feature key players such as captain Tevita Waranivalu and Madhwan Gounder, although both are expected to miss the opening match against Papua New Guinea.
Despite the absence of these key players, Coach Sam remains optimistic about Fiji’s chances as they field a younger team with newer talents taking the lead in their efforts throughout the tournament.
Over the weekend, the teams’ captains and coaches held a press conference, sharing insights about their preparations as the tournament gets underway.
The schedule for today includes:
– 2 PM: Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea
– 4 PM: Tahiti vs. Solomon Islands
Upcoming fixtures are as follows:
– Tomorrow: 2 PM – Fiji vs. Tahiti, 4 PM – Solomon Islands vs. Papua New Guinea
– Thursday: 2 PM – Papua New Guinea vs. Tahiti, 4 PM – Solomon Islands vs. Fiji
– Friday: 2 PM – Third Place Playoff, 4 PM – Final.