New ground has been broken in Oceania futsal as the Futsal Whites beat Solomon Islands 6-2 in the final of the OFC Futsal Cup 2022 to secure Aotearoa New Zealand’s first ever Oceania futsal title.

Reigniting men’s international futsal in Aotearoa, the Futsal Whites triumphed over the Kurukuru in a historic performance. Futsal White debutant Logan Wisnewski captained the side in the milestone match, in a game that was capped off with goals from Jordi Ditfort, Ethan Martin, Stephen Ashby-Peckham, and a hat-trick from tournament MVP and Golden Boot winner Rahan Ali.

The result also puts to bed the ghosts of the World Cup Qualifiers back in 2019, when the Futsal Whites lost to Solomon Islands in a heart-breaking penalty shootout to deny them their first World Cup appearance.

Player/Coach of that 2019 Futsal Whites squad Marvin Eakins took the reigns as Head Coach for the first time in 2022. With 10 debutants in the squad, he explained that the opportunity to play in the OFC Futsal Cup was ideal for the Futsal Whites to build towards the future, namely for next year’s World Cup Qualifiers.

“I’m really proud and impressed by the players’ efforts throughout the tournament,” he said.

“The experience they’ve gained from playing and performing in high pressure games against quality international opposition will be invaluable as we continue building towards the World Cup Qualifiers next year."

The OFC Futsal Cup will be remembered by futsal fans in New Zealand for a number of spectacular moments throughout the tournament, especially Jordi Ditfort scoring with a bicycle kick against Fiji FA President’s Five in the team’s opening match.

The debutant Futsal Whites also dominated the tournament awards:

• Pivot Rahan Ali won the Golden Boot with 8 goals (including a hat trick in the final), as well as the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player
• Goalkeeper Mike Antamanov won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper

Results

Final vs Solomon Islands 

New Zealand 6 - Solomon Islands 2

Goalscorers: Jordi Ditfort, Ethan Martin, Stephen Ashby-Peckham, Rahan Ali (3)

Semi-Final vs New Caledonia 

New Zealand 6 - New Caledonia 1

Goalscorers: Logan Wisnewski, Jordi Ditfort, Ethan Martin, Hamish Grey, Own Goal (2)

Group Stage Game 3 vs Tonga 

New Zealand 15 - Tonga 1

Goalscorers: Rahan Ali (2), Hamish Grey, Ethan Martin (4), Casey Sharplin, Sean McIntee, Oban Hawkins (2), Stephen Ashby-Peckham, Adam Paulsen (2), Logan Wisnewski

Group Stage Game 2 vs Vanuatu 

New Zealand 1 - Vanuatu 1

Goalscorer: Rahan Ali

Group Stage Game 1 vs Fiji FA President’s Five 

New Zealand 5 - FFA President’s Five 1

Goalscorers: Jordi Ditfort, Sean McIntee, Hamish Grey, Rahan Ali (2)

Futsal Whites OFC Futsal Cup squad:

Rahan Ali (Southern United)*

Yousif Al-Kalisy (Auckland City FC)*

Mike Antamanov (Auckland City FC)*

Stephen Ashby (Auckland City FC)

Jordi Ditfort (Waikato Rapids)

Hamish Grey (ASD Isola 5)*

Oban Hawkins (Northern Comets)

Ethan Martin (Waikato Rapids)*

Sean McIntee (Auckland City FC)*

Adam Paulsen (Auckland City FC)*

Casey Sharplin (Waikato Rapids)*

Patrick Steele (Waikato Rapids)*

Denny Twigg (Northern Comets)*

Logan Wisnewski (Waikato Rapids)

* Debut senior squad selection 

Article added: Wednesday 21 September 2022