Defending champions New Caledonia can also start preparing for a likely semi-final showdown after posting another comprehensive victory, this time 8-0 over Tuvalu.
In the day’s other matches, Guam and Cook Islands both picked up their first wins, 2-0 and 3-0 over American Samoa and Kiribati respectively, while 10-man Papua New Guinea held Tahiti to a 1-1 draw.
But the real drama took place in the late afternoon at Riviere Salée, where a last-gasp Jean Kaltak goal gave Vanuatu a vital win against their traditional rivals. The match appeared to be heading for a scoreless stalemate until Kaltak latched onto a through ball and showed composure beyond his tender years to slip the ball past Bonitos goalkeeper Shadrack Ramoni.
The win is a priceless one for Vanuatu as they now face Guam and American Samoa, both sides they will be expected to take three points off, and will secure a spot in the semi-finals if they record a pair of victories.
They will probably be joined in progressing from Group A by New Caledonia, although Solomon Islands’ hopes are also still alive despite today’s loss. The pool’s final game between those two is now shaping up to be a fitting finale to the group and could well decide each team’s fate.
The hosts will be full of confidence going into that clash after earning a third stylish win in a row and have now scored 22 goals and conceded none.
Tuvalu, who have shown great signs of improvement in this tournament compared to previous campaigns, simply had no answer to Les Cagous’ attacking ability and could do little as eight goals flew in past them.
To the delight of another healthy home crowd, Iamel Kabeu and Michel Hmae both scored doubles while four other players – Joris Gorendiawe, Georges Gope-Fenepej, Jacques Haeko and Cesar Lolohea – also got in on the act.
Guam and Cook Islands did not find the net with as much regularity in their wins but will not be concerned about that after securing their first three points of the tournament. Cook Islands were made to work hard for their 3-0 defeat of Kiribati, who put together some good passages of play and will be disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet.
The winners went ahead in the middle of the first half through Taylor Saghabi but it wasn’t until he got his second in the 89th minute that the victory was secure. John Pareanga then made even more sure of the points with a third in injury time.
Guam joined the Cook Islanders in celebrating for the first time after goals from Dylan Naputi and Elias Merfalen took care of American Samoa.
Tahiti had already notched one win, 7-0 over Cook Islands in their last outing, and had an excellent opportunity to make it two against a Papua New Guinea side whose day did not pan out as they would have liked. Star striker Reg Davani was forced off the field early on due to injury and Frank Farina’s men suffered another blow in the 66th minute when defender Cyril Muta was sent off.
Muta’s day had started in much more pleasing fashion when he opened the scoring from a 15th-minute Niel Hans free kick but the lead didn’t last long, Tahiti responding through a Stanley Atani header eight minutes later.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball in the final quarter, Tahiti couldn’t make their numerical advantage count and now find their semi-final destiny out of their hands. They must beat Kiribati in their sole remaining match and hope Papua New Guinea or Fiji slip up in their last two fixtures.

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