Tahiti have qualified for the Beach Soccer World Cup quarter finals after edging Mozambique 8-7 in their final group match in Moscow.
Tahiti celebrate reach the Beach Soccer World Cup quarter finals. Photo: Facebook/Fédération Tahitienne de Football
Teaonui Tehau put the Tiki Toa in front with a deft header from close range, only to give away an own goal a minute later after the ball rebounded off the post into his legs and then into the goal.
Tamatoa Tetauira restored Tahiti's lead just 17 seconds later with a powerful header into the top right-hand corner, before Nelson levelled the scores at 2-2 direct from a free kick.
Heirauarii Salem scored a long range free kick to give the Oceania champions a narrow 3-2 advantage after the first period.
Mozambique levelled the scores once again three minutes into the second period with a thunderbolt strike from Bachir into the top right-hand corner.
Salem responded with a stunning overhead kick direct from the keeper's throw, before Nelson bagged his second to keep the game at level at 4-4.
⚽️ MOMENTS | Some of the best photos captured during Tiki Toa's 8-7 win over Mozambique via FTF Media. #BeachSoccerWC pic.twitter.com/BWva0tZKME
— OFC Oceania Football (@OFCfootball) August 23, 2021
It was that man Salem again who completed his hat-trick with an emphatic finish at the near post to edge Tahiti in front for the fifth time, before poking home the rebound from a saved free kick to give the Tiki Toa a 6-4 advantage heading into the final period.
Nelson completed his hat-trick with a sharp finish to cut the deficit to one goal six minutes into the final spell, before Dylan Paama restored Tahiti's two-goal buffer a minute later.
The game took another twist when Mozambique's hat-trick hero Nelson was sent off for a second bookable offence with three and half minutes to play, with veteran Raimana Li Fung Kuee scoring from the subsequent free kick to give the Tiki Toa a commanding 8-5 advantage.
Despite being a man down, it was Mozambique who finished the game stronger, with Dez and Yuran scoring late goals to ensure a nervous finish.
Pointing the way to the #BeachSoccerWC quarter-finals
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 23, 2021
Tahiti seal their spot after a hard-fought win over debutants Mozambique pic.twitter.com/jXPjh28OsX
Tahiti's 8-7 win was enough to secure top spot in Group B with two wins and a loss in extra time.
The 2015 and 2017 finalists will face Group A runners up Japan in the quarter finals on Thursday, who qualified for the top eight despite a 7-1 drubbing by Russia in their final group match.
Group B runners up Spain will face World Cup hosts Russia in the other confirmed quarter final, while the other four teams will be determined overnight.
