OFC U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP TAHITI 2008 – TAHITI vs FIJI (FINAL SCORE: 2-0)

Papeete – Tahiti have won their first ever Oceania football tournament.

But their margin of victory at the Oceania Under 20 Championships was in doubt right until the end of play in Papeete tonight.

On an evening of high drama, in which three teams started the final round of matches with a shout of winning, tournament honours see-sawed back and forth between Tahiti and New Caledonia in matches which were played concurrently.

But Tahiti finally edged it thanks to a 2-0 win over a Fiji team which finished the match with nine payers. Meanwhile New Zealand fought back to level 2-2 against New Caledonia, which eventually allowed Tahiti the relative luxury of two-point margin at the top of the table in the battle of the French-speaking nations.

Had New Caldeonia managed one more goal, they would have been the ones going to Egypt rather than Tahiti.

0′ – The match has kicked off with Tahiti hoping to be OFC champions at the end of the 90 minutes and Fiji looking for their first win.

10′ – GOAL. TAHITI 1 FIJI 0. Alvin Tehau has given Tahiti a dream start.

15′ – Yellow card – Ariihau Teriitau is booked for Tahiti.

31′ – RED CARD. Nasoni Mereke is sent off for Fiji, in what could be a critical blow not just for the match, but the outcome of the tournament.

45′ – Yellow card. Fiji’s Monit Chand picks up a caution.

HALF TIME: Tahiti lead, but need more goals if they are to edge out New Caledonia for tournament honours.

52′ – Yellow cards for Fiji keeper Wasim Ali and Tahiti’s Tehau following a clash.

54′ – GOAL. TAHITI 2 FIJI 0. Tahiti finally make their extra man advantage count with a goal to Hiva Kamoise.

70′ – Substitution for Fiji. Samuela Drudru replaces Maciu Tuilau.

73′ – Yellow cards for Tahiti’s Heimano Bourebare and Fiji’s Drudru.

77′ – RED CARD. Fiji’s Monit Chand is sent off, leavign his team with just nine players on the pitch.

83′ – Substitution for Fiji, with Taione Kerevanua replaced by Josefata Neibuli.

FULL TIME – TAHITI 2 FIJI 0. Tahiti win the tournament.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008

Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 16H30 (FIJ T)

Tahiti U-20

Fiji U-20

TAH: 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 11. Stanley ATANY; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 2. Tauirai TEIVA;  23. Ralph HEITAA; 8. Heiarii TAVANAE;12. Rangitea BENETT; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

FIJ: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 9. Taione KEREVANUA; 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 11. Monit CHAND; 13. James MCKAY; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 18. Joseva BASUDRA; 19. Maciu TUILAU;

Substitues not used: 3. Amani MAKOE; 4. Josefata NEIBULI; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 12. Archie WATKINS; 14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 17. Samuela DRUDRU; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Suspended: 5. ROMUERO

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Referee: Laurent QUERE (NCL)

Assistant Referee 1: Mark RULE (NZL)

Assistant Referee 2: Ganhenerik HINT (NZL)

Fourth Offical: Matthew TONJER (NZL)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Standings: