Futsal

Run by Football Federation Samoa (FFS) Savai’i Development Manager Tala Salamasina and FFS Futsal Development Officer Taumateina Tugaga, the festival was designed as a way to introduce players to futsal and teach them the basic skills and rules of the game. 

Crucially for the 20 participants taking part in the coaching workshop, it also provided an opportunity to apply what they had learned in a practical environment.  

The one-day event was initiated by the FFS Upolu Technical Development Programme and targeted at boys and girls from the U-12 and U-14 age groups, with games to encourage participants to give futsal a go.  

FFS Futsal Development Officer Taumateina Tugaga said it was about raising awareness of futsal in the country.   

“It was not long ago that futsal was first introduced to FFS activities,” Tugaga said.  

“Through the festival we wanted to provide our players with a platform to showcase their talent.” 

Solomon Islands edged New Caledonia 3-2 on Thursday morning, in a top of the table clash, before thrashing Samoa 8-0 to make it four straight wins.

Baby Kurukuru coach Stanley Puairana was excited to secure another six points but has already turned his focus on his team's last day of matches.

"So far we have 12 points and we're getting excited about maybe going to the Olympics but we're still taking it one game at a time, step-by-step," he said.

"Two games in one day is really hard but I know our players will continue to try their best".

The Fijians managed to keep the hosts at until the final minute of the first half, when Kareem Osman broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

Futsal Whites captain Marvin Eakins doubled the advantage two minutes into the second spell and New Zealand added another six goals to complete an emphatic victory.