Fiji made it two wins from two at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea with a dominant victory over Samoa.
Having overcome New Caledonia to kickstart their campaign, Fiji picked up where they left off, controlling much of the 90 minutes and flexing their impressive attacking muscles.
Isoa Baselala and Ryan Swami went close early on with two good chances, as Fiji began quickly. Swami especially should have done better when clean through – his effort tame and easily held by Samoa goalkeeper Moemanatu Lesatele.
19 minutes were on the clock when the deserved breakthrough arrived. Full-back Shahil Prasad picking the ball up on the left-hand side and driving at the Samoa defence – gliding past four challenges before arrowing a classy low effort into the far corner.
Six minutes later and Fiji were awarded a penalty when Swami broke into the area, only to be clipped late by Tuionoula Iamafana. Swami himself took the spot-kick, calmly rolling into the corner past the outstretched arm of Lesatele.
Baselala added a third shortly before the half-time break. Rayyaan Mohammed given too much space on the right by the Samoan defence, with the winger beating his man and crossing low for Baselala to finish from close range.
Samoa made two changes at the break and seemed much better for it – Malcom J Lober and Atapana Fatu Fasi brought on to try and turn the tide.
Te Koha Gabriel Schick went closest for Samoa in their comeback bid, firing wide of Ratu Natirivi’s left-hand post from a tight angle.
Shortly after that chance however, Baselala added his second and Fiji’s fourth. The forward found by an excellent pass by Zaman Shah, before turning his marker and firing past the exposed Lesatele.
Swami could, and perhaps should, have had his second. Found by a low pass by the impressive Jone Loga, he couldn’t keep his effort down – flashing it over the bar when well placed.
Samoa faded as the match wore on and conceded an unfortunate fifth with ten minutes remaining. Jerry Levea’s long ball forward was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Atapana Fatu Fasi to make it 5-0.
The victory ensures Fiji qualify for the semi-finals alongside hosts Papua New Guinea, while Samoa will only have pride to play for when they take on New Caledonia later this week.
Samoa: 0
Fiji: 5 (Shahil PRASAD 19′, Ryan SWAMI (P) 26′, Isoa BASELALA 43′, 62′, Own Goal 80′)
HT: 0-3
Papua New Guinea booked their place in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Caledonia.
For New Caledonia, who had suffered a 2-0 defeat to Fiji in their opening fixture, their hopes of a place in the final four are now over.
They arguably had the better of the first-half. Whilst neither side were able to dominate in the fashion Fiji had earlier in the day, it was New Caledonia who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first period.
Titouan Deniaud wasn’t far off with an excellent, opportunistic effort from distance – only denied a goal by an excellent stretching save by goalkeeper Luther Rodney.
Papua New Guinea almost scored on the counter from the resulting corner kick. Boas Tommy bearing down on goal but hesitated and couldn’t get his shot away, eventually being smothered out by the covering defence.
Steevy Andrew came within inches of scoring for New Caledonia with an outrageous attempt just prior to half-time. The defender stepping forward and almost catching Rodney out from the halfway line, only for his effort to come crashing back off the post.
Early in the second period and it was Papua New Guinea’s turn to be denied by the woodwork. A speculative cross by Giob Yalu beating everyone in the box, only to strike the base of the post, before New Caledonia could scramble clear.
Papua New Guinea grew into the game as the half wore on and arguably should have taken the lead just after the hour mark. Iga Steven was played through by John Millis, but never looked set and skewed his effort wide from only a few yards out.
The hosts however were finally rewarded for their improved second-half performance soon after.
Iga Steven was the man to make the difference. The forward latched onto a long ball from Henry Bill, reacting ahead of the New Caledonian defence, before hammering an effort past Jeremy Fere to make it 1-0 with just over 15 minutes left to play.
Nigel Gunemba should have doubled the lead only a couple of minutes later but hooked his effort over the bar when well-placed.
One goal would prove to be enough however, as Papua New Guinea held on for the win. In doing so, it confirms that they, along with Fiji, will qualify for the semi-finals.
New Caledonia: 0
Papua New Guinea: 1 (Iga STEVEN 73′)
HT: 0-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek