New Zealand beat Fiji to keep alive title hopes at OFC Futsal Men's Cup

A second-half onslaught from New Zealand saw the Futsal Whites overcome Fiji 10-3 in a fierce encounter at the 2025 OFC Futsal Men’s Cup in Suva.

The win keeps New Zealand’s title hopes alive going into the last games, but they need the Solomon Islands to lose or draw with winless Tuvalua in their final game.

In their final match of the OFC Futsal Men’s Cup, hosts Fiji pushed New Zealand hard but ultimately fell to a dominant second-half display.

Fiji’s Merrill Nand was a constant threat early, testing the New Zealand defence, while New Zealand looked to settle through Dylan Manickum’s guidance. But in the first period Fiji’s defence held strong, suffocating the New Zealanders’ attack.

The breakthrough came when Philip Fatialofa struck cleanly from the left side of the circle to put New Zealand ahead. The second came from En Watanabe finishing neatly to double the lead.

Main photo: New Zealand goalscorer Philip Fatialofa (15). Photo credit: OFC Media / Kirk Corrie / Phototek.

Fiji’s defence battled to contain the pressure, but New Zealand kept the tempo high and were rewarded again through Rahan Ali to make it 3-0.

Photo credit: OFC Media / Kirk Corrie / Phototek.

Fiji refused to back down, pulling one back when Rajneel broke into open space on the left edge, calmly controlled the ball and fired into the top left corner to beat the New Zealand keeper.

They bounced back again through their captain Filipe Baravilala who fired a shot rebounding off the New Zealand keeper for an own goal to make it 3-2 heading into the break.

Fiji continued their pressure into the second half and managed to equalise early as Neeraj Sharma broke through the left wing and calmly struck to beat the keeper, bringing Fiji back in the match.

But the Kiwis composure showed as Fatialofa linked with Cooper Wink to calmly stroke the ball in. New Zealand would find another through Matthew Peden, who edged his side further ahead.

The decision to play five players up front in an attempt to score was a detriment to Fiji, as New Zealand scored three simple goals without a goalkeeper. Jordan Ditfort, Casey Sharplin and Ethan Martin all found the back of the net as the clock ticked down.

However, it was En Watanabe who had the final say, slotting home a penalty and New Zealand’s 10th goal.

*Vanuatu beat Tuvalu for their first win at the tournament. Photo credit: OFC Media / Kirk Corrie / Phototek.*

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Vanuatu edge Tuvalu in fierce battle for first win at tournament

The Vanuatu Gideons dug deep to claim their first win at the OFC Futsal Men’s Cup 2025, edging Tuvalu 3-2 in a tense contest.

Both teams went into the break scoreless after a first half filled with energy but little reward. Vanuatu enjoyed more of the ball, with Kevin Donald, Kemly Lehi and Keshly Joseph all testing Tuvalu’s defence.

For Tuvalu, Jason Alama and Maalosi Alefaiao led Tuvalu’s fast counters, but neither side could land the crucial finish in the opening period. But the second half, the action lifted for both teams.

A sharp move in transition saw Sandy Mesau feed Justine Alick, who slotted home to finally crack Tuvalu’s wall. Minutes later, Sandy Mesau doubled the lead with a calm strike from the left edge, putting the Gideons in control.

But Tuvalu refused to fade, as immediately in the counter, Taufaiva Ionatana finished a cross from the far post to bring them back into the match, setting up a fiery final stretch.

The Tuvaluans continued to press with long throws and direct play, forcing the Vanuatu keeper into action but couldn’t find an equaliser.

Paul Takaro scored Vanuatu’s third goal before Ionatana scored his second goal in the dying moments.

The result gives the Gideons momentum ahead of their final match against New Zealand, while Tuvalu will take belief into their final game against Solomon Islands.

Results

Games played on Tuesday September 23, 2025

Tuvalu 2 (Taufaiva Ionatana 31′, 39′)
Vanuatu 3 (Justine Alick 24′, Sandy Mesau 30′, Paul Takaro 39′)

Fiji 3 ((Rajneel Singh 10′, Filipe Baravilala , Neeraj Sharma 21′)
New Zealand 10 (Philip Fatialofa 3′, En Watanabe 7′, 37′, Rahan Ali 8′, Cooper Wink 24′, Matthew Peden 28′, Jordan Ditfort 32′, 36′, Casey Sharplin 35′, Ethan Martin 35′)