Solomon Bilikiki secures grand-final berth with Vanuatu in Beach Soccer

The Solomon Islands Bilikiki team have all but cemented their place in the OFC Beach Soccer Championship final against neighbours Vanuatu, with an 11-2 win over Fiji in their day three match at Temae Beach, Moorea Island, Tahiti.

The hiding started when Gideon Omokirio opened scoring with a double strike inside the first minute.

James Naka added the Solomons third midway through the period and that was closely followed by Franco Nee scoring their fourth.

Naka then scored his second and third goals to complete his hat-trick and put the Biliki Boys ahead by six goal at the end of first period.

Nicholas Muri Makaa scored their seventh early in the second period, a further two Solomons goals followed before Fiji finally got one back through an excellent long range strike from Alvin Avinesh.

Fiji dug deep to hold the Solomons to just two goals in the final period and Avinesh added his second to cap off a strong individual performance.

Naka scored added another tripple to take his haul to six for the match, afterwards he acknowledged his team alway plays better under pressure.

"I don't really know why we always lose our first game to Vanuatu at the Beach Soccer qualifiers, maybe maybe it is a (mental) thing... But we also also always go on to win the final, one hundred percent success, so we still have a lot of confidence."

And Naka had an ominous prediction regarding his teams' level of play.

"Now we are building up and getting better each game and I think we are now playing our normal game, and I think we can still improve our level for the final."

Meanwhile in the other match of day three, Vanuatu managed to beat hosts Tahiti to solidify their lead on the ladder and confirming a grand-finale with Solomon Bilikiki.

Source: OFC

Israel Government congratulates Loina people in North Malaita

The Israel Government congratulates and thanks the people of Loina and surrounding communities, in North Malaita for the successful hosting of the "Israeli Day and Information Week".

The event was hosted from Saturday last week to Tuesday this week.

A statement from the Honorary Consul of the State of Israel in Honiara says the Israel Day was in line with the arrival of the Gospel, more than one hundred years ago.

The statement says Loina SSEC Church in North Malaita celebrated the historical date with the showcasing of Israel as the the root of the Gospel.

The head of Asia Pacific Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem, Israel Ambassador Michael Ronen sent the message through the Israel Consulate office in Honiara.

He says as a State, Israel appreciates the continuous support to Israel and its people through prayers and activities of support.

Mr Ronen says Israel has always valued its relationship with the people of Solomon Islands.

Source: SIBC

Solomon Kurukuru made strong second half come back to walk over New Caledonia

Oceania's reigning Futsal champions the Solomon Kurukuru made a brilliant second half come-back from a 2-3 deficit at half-time, to thrash New Caledonia 8-3 in the second match of the OFC Futsal Qualifiers at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, last night.Backed by a strong vocal support from the Solomon Islands community in Suva, the Kurukuru boys lived up to expectations with their outstanding performance and constant display of skills that continuously mesmerised fans out of their seats.

In a match that followed the upset of Day 1 when hosts Fiji beat favourites Vanuatu 2-1, Solomon Kurukuru hit the net through captain Elliot Ragomo within the first few seconds of play which caught everyone by surprise including the time keepers who forgot to start the clock at kick-off.

The scoreline was extended to 2-0 in the 14th minute with a goal from Francis Lafai. Just as the crowd were starting to roar, New Caledonia bounced back with three quick goals in the 14th, 17th and 18th minute to lead 3-2 at half-time.

At the start of the second-half, the Kurukuru boys fired up presumably from a team talk at half-time from coach Dickson Daudau.

This eventuated with five unanswered goals in the second half through goals from Elliot Ragomo (37th min); Micah Lea'alafa (22nd, 22nd min); Moffat Sikwa'ae (26th min); James Egata (31st min); and Jack Wetney (37th min).

Solomon Kurukuru's second match tonight at 8pm (Fj time) will be against hosts Fiji who are also sitting at three points after one win but lagging behind the Kurukuru due to goals scored.