Papua New Guinea Kick Off OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup Campaign With A Win

Thetournament debutants have stunned Fiji 8-6 on the back of aremarkable beginning to the match. Having never playedan international match, the Papua New Guinea players whohail from Fisherman Island off the coast of Port Moresbywere expected to struggle against more experiencedopponents. But from the kick-off Demasol Manamablasted the ball into the net with the goal coming afterjust one and a half seconds.

The new kids on the blockshocked Fiji two minutes later with Ellygia Benard making it2-0 before a shell-shocked Fiji found themselves three downa minute later when Goiravana Kala converted afreekick. Papua New Guinea 'keeper KopiSamuel made a mistake for Fiji’s second goal in the finalminute of the first period as Jerry Sam’s side got backinto the game. The heavens opened in the second periodand the scoring slowed, but it was Papua New Guinea whostruck first with Benard nabbing his second.



FranceCatarogo then fired over the bar from the penalty spot forFiji before another defensive mistake saw Steven Dean closethe gap to two goals in the 20th minute. Raven Samuelrestored his side's three goal advantage a minute laterbefore Fiji closed the gap to two again, from a well struckfree kick a minute before the end of the period. Asthe rain continued to pour down, the clocked ticked down.

Papua New Guinea extended their lead again through Joe Verewith six minutes remaining. But Fiji applied the pressureand struck twice in quick succession to close the gap toone. With the Fijians pushing for an equalisier, PapuaNew Guinea were given a golden chance to kill off anyresistance and duly did, with Ellygia Benard completing hishat-trick to add an eighth.

Fiji were missing captainTevita Waranivalu and Madhwan Gounder, who are late arrivalsinto Honiara, but that won't be used as an excuse and BabobLabong's side fully deserved theirvictory. 6 (Adriu NABOSE 6' OwnGoal’ 12’, Steven DEAN 20’, 32', Navu WILLIE 23’,Rajneel SINGH 32') 8(Demasol MANAMA 1’, Ellygia BENARD 3’, 16’, 33',Goiravana KALA 4’, 9’, Raven SAMUEL 21’, Joe VERE30').