With the home crowd behind them, the Brazilians put on a show with a typically flamboyant start to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2007.
The Solomon Islands, although very determined, could not prevent an onslaught from the current champions of the beach soccer code. The FIFA website reported that Brazilian Beach soccer star, Buru, opened the scoring with a precise strike in the opening stanza. However, for all their dominance, the Brazilians went in at the first break only two goals ahead of the Solomon Islands.The Brazilians opened the second half with three quick goals, pushing the margin further. However, although down by five, the Bilikiki lads produced their best football, forcing the Brazilian keeper into several tumbling saves. Benjamin Mela restored some pride for the Solomon Islands scoring a well taken free kick.
The Brazilian pattern of play remained unchanged in the final period, with the hosts adding another six goals to their tally. The score line did not deter the determined Solomon Islanders, wonder boy, James Naka, got a cheer from the stands scoring a fine scissors kick. The match ended 11 - 2 to Brazil.
"The pressure of the occasion got to my players at the start, what with all the support for Brazil and everything. It's a very different atmosphere to what we're used to and it affected us. We didn't play well defensively. Our marking was too slack," stated Solomon Islands coach, Terrance Van Dillen, in a post-match interview.