Papua New Guinea achieved an impressive victory over Fiji, winning 8-6 in a thrilling opening match of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in Honiara. The match started with a sensational moment as Papua New Guinea scored one of the quickest goals in international Beach Soccer history, with Demasol Manama finding the net just one and a half seconds into the game.
Despite being newcomers to international competition, the players from Fisherman Island, near Port Moresby, struck early, doubling their lead two minutes later when Ellygia Benard scored. A stunned Fiji fell further behind as Goiravana Kala netted from a free kick just a minute later, making it 3-0.
Fiji managed to respond with a goal from Adriu Nabose in the sixth minute, but Papua New Guinea quickly regained momentum with another free kick by Kala in the ninth minute. Papua New Guinea’s goalkeeper, Kopi Samuel, made an error that allowed Fiji to score their second goal just before the end of the first period, leaving the score at 4-2.
The second period saw less frantic scoring, with Papua New Guinea initially extending their lead as Benard scored again. Fiji missed a penalty from France Catarogo, but Steven Dean narrowed the gap to two goals. Raven Samuel then restored the three-goal cushion for Papua New Guinea, only for Fiji to respond with a well-placed free kick before the end of the period.
As rain poured down on the pitch, Papua New Guinea added another goal through Joe Vere with six minutes to go. However, Fiji fought back, bringing the score within one goal after scoring twice in quick succession. In the final moments, with Fiji pushing for an equalizer, Papua New Guinea sealed their win with Benard completing his hat-trick.
Fiji faced challenges with the absence of captain Tevita Waranivalu and Madhwan Gounder, who arrived late in Honiara, but their coach Babob Labong acknowledged Papua New Guinea’s deserving victory.