Vanuatu ended their OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 campaign on a high, defeating Samoa 7-1 in the seventh-place play-off to record their first win of the tournament.

With both sides playing for pride, Vanuatu made a blistering start. Just three minutes in, Franso Shem raced down the wing and delivered a low cross for Rohan Masauvakalo to tap home after Samoa goalkeeper Moemanatu Lesatele momentarily believed the ball had gone out of play.

The pair combined again three minutes later, this time with Masauvakalo turning provider as his run down the flank set up Shem to double the advantage. Samoa responded through Mason Aiono, whose effort flashed across the face of goal, but Vanuatu remained firmly in control.

Masauvakalo added his second in the 27th minute before Nelson Tawia produced the goal of the match four minutes later, cutting inside and firing a powerful strike from outside the area.

Samoa found a late lifeline before the break when Eti Matau’s cross was headed home by Te Koha Gabriel Schick in first-half stoppage time.

The second half saw Samoa improve defensively, but Vanuatu’s dangerous strike partnership continued to shine. Masauvakalo completed his hat-trick in the 49th minute, converting another Shem cross, before Shem added his second two minutes later to cap a commanding display.

Vanuatu: 7 (Rohan MASAUVAKALO 3′, 27′, 49′, Franso SHEM 6′, 51′, Nelson TAWIA 31′)

Samoa: 1 (Te Koha GABRIEL SCHICK 45+3′)

HT: 5-1

 

Tahiti secured fifth place at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over New Caledonia, inspired by a hat-trick from captain Esdras Jamet.

With both sides enduring challenging group stage campaigns, the fifth place play off presented one final opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note. New Caledonia were chasing their first victory of the competition, while Tahiti looked to build on their earlier win over Vanuatu.

Tahiti struck first in the 12th minute through the in-form Jamet. The captain calmly weaved beyond the New Caledonia defence before his low effort squeezed through the legs of goalkeeper Octave Hautbois to register his fifth goal of the tournament.

New Caledonia responded just before the break. Kevin Hoang’s free kick crashed against the crossbar, but Lisandro Bessieres reacted quickest to tap home the rebound in first-half stoppage time and restore parity.

The celebrations were short-lived as Tahiti regained the lead six minutes after the restart. A corner found Jamet, who cleverly lifted the ball over a defender before volleying into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Jamet completed a memorable hat-trick in the 71st minute, rising to meet Raitua Tehio’s pinpoint cross with a close-range header to extend Tahiti’s advantage. Hoang pulled one back late for New Caledonia, firing into the top corner after a clever cross from Bessieres, but Tahiti held firm to claim a deserved victory and fifth place.

New Caledonia: 2 (Lisandro BESSIERES 45+1′, Kevin HOANG 83′)
Tahiti: 3 (Esdras JAMET 12′, 51′, 71′)

HT: 1-1

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek