OFC U17 Men's Championship

TAHITI PROVIDES BACKDROP FOR U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

New Zealand sealed qualification for the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup – Korea 2007 with consummate ease thanks to the goal scoring prowess of new Wellington Phoenix striking sensation Costa Barbarouses. 

The teenager amassed five goals in the three qualification matches including a stunning hat-trick against New Caledonia that condemned the French Overseas Territory to last place in the four team tournament. Barbarouses prolific performances in front of goal for New Zealand attracted the attention from northern hemisphere clubs but the Wellington-based chose an option closer to home in the Hyundai A-League with Ricki Herbert instead.

But Tahiti 2007 will probably be remembered for the one-sided nature of the tournament with New Zealand wrapping up qualification after just two matches. New Zealand’s wins over Fiji and Tahiti gave them maximum points after two games. This lead was unassailable when Tahiti and Fiji drew their matches against New Caledonia 0-0 and 1-1 respectively eliminating three of the four competing nations in one fell swoop.

For New Caledonia the tournament format proved unhelpful with the possibility of the French-speaking nation defeating New Zealand and finishing the tournament unbeaten yet unable to finish any higher than second place. New Caledonia’s predicament was made less unbearable by the fact they were unable to score a single goal from open play.

Their only goal of the tournament came from the penalty spot against Fiji through Roy Kayara and hinted at the difficulties the team faced in front of goal. Host nation Tahiti will have mixed feelings about their performances. Coach Eddie Etaeta was determined to atone for the team’s erratic build-up displays against New Zealand when the side were beaten 3-2, 4-1 and 9-0 last December.

Tahiti restored national pride with a spirited and gutsy - but ultimately unsuccessful -display against New Zealand, losing 2-1. Stephane Faatiarau’s goal lifted the Stade Pater crowd’s spirits but New Zealand’s Barbarouses and Mario Hoffmann did just enough to quell the local’s efforts.

Unfortunately for the host nation this encouraging performance was sandwiched between two rather less than uplifting 0-0 draws with New Caledonia and Fiji that put paid to their World Cup chances. Fiji’s enigmatic campaign saw the best and worst of Fijian football with Ranjesh Prasad and Josua Tawake on target against New Caledonia and New Zealand. The Fiji side – packed with age-group talent attached to Ba, Lautoka and Suva – were no match for New Zealand in the opening match.

A 1-1 draw against New Caledonia ended Fijian interest in World Cup qualification and their campaign fizzled with a 0-0 draw against host nation Tahiti.

THE HISTORY OF THE OFC U-17 MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Of all the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) age-group tournaments the OFC Men's U-17 Men's Championship is the competition that has yielded the most consistent outcomes with Australia and New Zealand dominating.  

With Australia departing for the Asian Football Confederation nations such as New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Tahiti have emerged as threats to the status quo. Solomon Islands and Fiji have experienced relative success in 1993 and 1999 with final appearances respectively.

OFC MEN'S U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIOUS WINNERS