Papua New Guinea posted an upset 2-1 victory against Fiji and New Zealand were made to work hard for a 5-1 triumph over Vanuatu.
The Young All Whites had not taken the field before today after sitting out the first round of Group A matches with the bye and began the game as if they had plenty of pent-up energy.
Strikes from Ken Yamamoto, Bill Tuiloma and Tim Payne had them three goals up within the first 23 minutes and it wasn’t long before Jordan Vale added a fourth, tucking the ball past goalkeeper Selonie Iaruel, who caught the eye with several top-class saves, in the 37th minute.
But it was a different story in the second half as Vanuatu took the game to their more fancied opponents and they had a goal of their own just after the break when Tony Kaltak made progress down the right and squared for Santino Mermer to smash home an unstoppable shot.
Vanuatu enjoyed a lot more of the ball for the rest of the half but couldn’t score again and it was left to New Zealand to wrap things up with three minutes remaining, Cameron Howieson heading home at the back post after a great move involving Yamamoto and substitute Ryan Howlett.
Coach Steve Cain was delighted with the first-half performance and was not unduly bothered that his side didn’t hit the same heights in the second period.
“Being realistic, the game was over at half-time,” he says. “I didn’t tell them that of course but they’re 16 years old and they will learn that there are ways of killing the game off.
“In the second half we got a bit sloppy and the goal against was disappointing. We didn’t concede a goal in this tournament last time and that’s what we were setting our stall out to do again.”
Vanuatu opposite Wilson August knew his young men would be in for a tough afternoon against the favourites and felt they stood up to the challenge well.
“If they had played in the first half like they did in the second then maybe the score could have been different,” he says. “We talked to them at half-time and explained some of the things we wanted to change.”
In the earlier Group A match this afternoon, Papua New Guinea defied pre-game expectations with their come-from-behind victory.
Fiji were coming off the back of a highly-impressive 9-0 victory over American Samoa while Papua New Guinea put in a subdued performance in their 2-0 opening day loss against Vanuatu.
But John Davani’s side was in a much more inspired mood today and cancelled out Al-taaf Sahib’s spectacular 21st minute free kick with goals to captain Alwin Komolong and substitute Jacob Sabua in the 35th and 53rd minutes respectively.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men when Fiji captain Josaia Masiwini and Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Charles Lepani were sent off for their roles in a skirmish on 38 minutes. But the dismissals had little influence on the result as Papua New Guinea hung on for a valuable victory.
“It’s very disappointing because we had the lead and gave away two soft goals,” says Fiji coach Hussain Sahib, the father of goalscorer Al-taaf.
“But the tournament is not over and anything can still happen. We just have to carry on and look forward to the next game. Our players have to be a lot sharper, we allowed them to pass the ball around and control the game at times.”
Davani was relieved to see his Papua New Guinea team get themselves back into title contention and was proud of the spirit they showed.
“It was a hard-fought win and it certainly didn’t come easy,” he says. “We made a couple of changes in personnel from the last game because we knew the players we brought in would fight and put their bodies on the line.”
Attention turns to Group B again tomorrow when Solomon Islands take on Tahiti at 1.30pm and Cook Islands are in action for the first time against New Caledonia from 4pm. Both games take place on the outer oval at North Harbour Stadium.
Papua New Guinea – Fiji Match Summary Download PDF
Vanuatu – New Zealand Match Summary Download PDF
Competition Summary Download PDF