Sunday 30 April 2017, 21:31

Tahiti edge Japan in dramatic contest

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  • Tahiti claim first win at Bahamas 2017

  • Japan’s Takuya Akaguma scores three goals in a losing effort

  • Tahiti next game: vs Poland, Japan next game: vs Brazil, both on 2 May

Tahiti earned their first victory at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 in dramatic fashion, surviving a late fightback to defeat Japan 4-3 in their second Group D encounter.

An early goal from Tearii Labaste had the French Polynesian side in front through the first two periods of Sunday’s match in Nassau.

However, the tight nature of this contest changed in the third period, as both sides produced six goals and a thrilling finish.

Though Takuya Akaguma struck a hat-trick for Japan, goals from Heiarii Tavanae, Patrick Tepa, and Raimana Li Fung Kuee secured three valuable points for Tahiti.

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