Kiribati win as Marshalls play first match - Football in Oceania
The very first international futsal tournament in Marshall Islands have concluded.
![Kiribati - Figure 1](https://i0.wp.com/footballoceania.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Support-football-in-oceania.png?fit=2240%2C1260&ssl=1)
There was much anticipation of the hosts playing their first futsal match, with Micronesia and Kiribati also getting some much-needed playing time.
The tournament, officially named the Outrigger Challenge Futsal Cup, took place the past week, with all three sides fielding two teams each.
It soon became clear that Kiribati were a step above the rest, with their A-team winning 8-0 against the Marshall Islands A and 15-2 against Micronesia A, while Kiribati B beat the Marshalls B and Micronesia B equaly solid fashion.
In the semi-finals the Kiribati teams faced each other with the A-team winning 5-3. That was the result in the other semi-final as well, with the Marshall Islands coming out on top over Micronesia.
![Kiribati - Figure 2](https://i0.wp.com/footballoceania.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-1.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Kiribati B took third-place, beating Micronesia 15-1, while Kiribati A took care of the Marshalls again, this time winning 6-2.
Kiribati Island Football Federation president Eriati Reebo is very happy with the win. He hopes it will help them in their journey to full Oceania Foootball Confederation membership status.
“As it is the first ever tournament in the region. Our aim is to achieve our targets to win the first tournament in the Micronesia, why, because it means alot to KIFF as it parts of the requirement in our regional achievements that credit KIFF to OFC,” Reebo tells Football in Oceania.
Kiribati is currently only an associate member, with the Marshalls and Micronesia not being a part of OFC at all.
“Our preparation is very high even though we knew RMI and FSM are very fresh in football compared to Kiribati,” Reebo says.
He says their focus now turns to getting a new stadium built and try to play some Polynesian sides.
“Just to put request and support from Kiribati government to work in partnership with KIFF executives to ensure the ofc requirements are met such as offering or providing a specific plot/land and fundings to build an international standard stadium to cater all sports in Kiribati”
“Our next target also after this is to challenge any countries from the Polynesian to play against them in the 11 aside and futsal to see how KIFF development level status is,” Reebo says. .
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