Papua New Guinea achieved a remarkable feat in international Beach Soccer by scoring one of the fastest goals in history during the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in Honiara, defeating Fiji 8-6.
Despite being a team that had never played an international match, the players from Fisherman Island, near Port Moresby, surprised many by taking control from the start. Just one and a half seconds into the match, Demasol Manama found the net, creating an incredible opening moment for Papua New Guinea.
Ellygia Benard quickly added a second goal two minutes later, putting Papua New Guinea ahead 2-0. Fiji, caught off guard, fell further behind when Goiravana Kala scored from a free kick just a minute after Benard’s goal.
Fiji managed to respond with a goal from Adriu Nabose in the 6th minute, but Papua New Guinea answered back when Kala scored again with another powerful free kick in the 9th minute, bringing the score to 4-1. A mistake by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Kopi Samuel allowed Fiji’s Jerry Sam to score, leaving the score at 4-2 at the end of the first period.
The second period saw the rain come down heavily, slowing the scoring pace. Papua New Guinea’s Benard found the net again, scoring his second goal. Fiji’s France Catarogo missed a penalty, and then Steven Dean brought Fiji closer with another goal in the 20th minute.
Raven Samuel restored Papua New Guinea’s three-goal cushion just a minute later, though Fiji responded again with a free kick goal before the end of the period. As the rain continued, Papua New Guinea’s Joe Vere extended their lead to 6-4 with six minutes left.
Fiji rallied and quickly scored two goals, narrowing the gap to just one. However, when given a prime opportunity, Ellygia Benard completed his hat trick, sealing Papua New Guinea’s victory at 8-6.
Fiji was missing their captain Tevita Waranivalu and Madhwan Gounder, who arrived late in Honiara, but coach Babob Labong opted not to use their absence as an excuse, acknowledging Papua New Guinea’s well-deserved win.