Aotearoa New Zealand will be represented at the men’s FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time after the Futsal Whites beat Tahiti in the OFC Futsal Nations Cup final to qualify for the 2024 edition of the tournament, set to be played in Uzbekistan. 

The Futsal Whites made the final after finishing top of the group stage as the only team to end with three wins from three group stage games (6-3 vs Vanuatu, 7-2 vs Fiji, 14-0 vs Tonga).

They faced the Solomon Islands in the semifinal and triumphed over the Kurukuru with a 4-2 win, capped off with a goal from goalkeeper Mike Antamanov in the final seconds of the match to secure a spot in the final.

The Futsal Whites played Tahiti in the final, ending with a 5-0 victory at Pulman Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Stephen Ashby opened the scoring with a long range strike early in the match, the only goal of a tight first half.

Jordi Ditfort was fastest to react to a deflected shot midway through the second half to get the team’s second. 

Thomas Picken made it three two minutes later, again picking up a loose ball after a good block by the Tahitian goalkeeper. 

With 7 minutes left in the match, captain and record cap holder Dylan Manickum made it four, finishing into an empty net with Tahiti pushing to get back into the game. 

Hamish Grey made it five in the final moments of the game with a well-placed finish after a quick counter-attack.

The Futsal Whites will now qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, set to be played from 14 September – 6 October 2024.

Article added: Sunday 08 October 2023