Australia’s Futsalroos shared the spoils with the Solomon Islands as an evenly contested opening match of the 2023 PacificAus Futsal Series finished 1-1 at Sydney’s Heffron Centre on Saturday.
Daniel Fornito fired the hosts ahead early in the second half, but Charlie Otainiao’s leveller ensured the visitors avoided defeat in the first of three matches between the sides.
Before a capacity crowd at the newly built venue, the Futsalroos made their long awaited return to international action on home soil, but it took a spectacular reflex save from Domenic Badolato to prevent Miles Downie’s men from falling behind in the opening exchanges.
The home side slowly began to carve out more chances, with Shervin Keshavarz Adeli denied at close range by Solomon Islands goalkeeper Anthony Talo, while Jacob Basden spooned an effort high from a matter of a few metres after the Futsalroos had unlocked the visitors well-organised defence.
The arm-wrestle continued as the Kurukuru’s Owen Bunabo came close twice in the space of a minute late in the opening period, but despite no shortage of chances, the teams went to the interval deadlocked at 0-0.
Australia emerged with a renewed sense of purpose, and the breakthrough finally arrived four minutes after the break, with Daniel Fornito on hand to poke home the opener after Jordan Guerreiro had created the opportunity by brilliantly jinking his way through the Solomon Islands defence.
The visitors quickly responded, and their added intensity bore fruit, with Charlie Otainao calmly side-footing home an equaliser for Damon Shaw’s side with just over eight minutes remaining.
Determined to restore their lead, the Futsalroos continued to create chances, and continued to suffer near misses, with both Fornito and Guerreiro going agonisingly close to finding the back of the net as the minutes ticked away.
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The action continues on Monday, when the teams resume the three-match series at The Centre, Dural, before the final match at the same venue on Wednesday, with tickets available exclusively via EventBrite.
The PacificAus Sports Futsal Series is the result of a partnership with the Australian Government and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, through PacificAus Sports.
