OFC U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP – GOALS GALORE ON OPENING DAY

A soggy start to the OFC U-17 Championship on Monday has seen Tahiti and New Zealand produce eight goals to take the early advantage over New Caledonia and Vanuatu at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium. 

With Oceania’s spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 on the line, Tahiti and New Zealand are now equal on points and goal difference after the Tahitians beat their francophone rivals New Caledonia 5-2 and the Kiwis overpowered Vanuatu 3-0.

Tahiti got off to the perfect possible start in the opening match scoring in the first minute through striker Hiva Kamoise. But New Caledonia hit back 10 minutes later with Louis Wanakaen volleying home from a corner after making an incisive near-post run.

New Caledonia enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the first half and went close to going ahead in the 21st minute when Damien Wanapopo’s powerful left-foot shot struck the bar.

But it was Tahiti who took the advantage going into the break after Kaurani Voirin scored from the penalty spot just before halftime to make it 2-1.

New Caledonia came out firing in the second half and equalized through Stephane Wahaga in the 47th minute. With the match hanging in the balance, New Caledonia’s hopes dropped when Patrick Quaze received his marching orders in the 56th minute after a second yellow card. From the ensuing free kick just outside the box, Voirin grabbed his second with a low drive that took a slight deflection en route to goal.

Tahiti took control of the match from that point adding two more through Heitini Tupea in the 82nd and Heirarii Tavanae just before the final whistle with Voirin having a hand in both.

Coach Lionel Charbonnier was satisfied with the result but believes his team could have put more goals away in the closing period.

“In this tournament goal difference is important in case of a draw so when the chances are there you have to score,” said the former French international.

“I think we missed three or four goals and I hope we don’t have to pay for that at the end of the competition.”

Meanwhile New Zealand also enjoyed a three-goal winning margin through strikes from Jamie Doris, Andrew Milne and Gordon Murie.

With heavy rain continuing on the stadium’s outer field, New Zealand attacked from the outset with Thomas Spragg setting up Jamie Dorris for a goal in the ninth minute and a second coming for the hosts just 5 minutes later after goalkeeper Coey Turipa launched a goal kick into the opposition penalty area for Andrew Milne to collect and slot home.

Vanuatu’s best chance came in the 42nd minute when striker Moken Multungtung broke the line and had just the keeper to beat but shot wide.

Multungtung kept peppering New Zealand’s goal in the second half and his 59th minute shot into the top left corner was brilliantly saved by Turipa. At the other end New Zealand’s Cameron Lindsay was on form and went close to scoring in the 75th minute with a shot that bounced back off the post.

After the match, New Zealand coach Steve Cain stressed the importance of keeping a clean-sheet.

“We’re pleased with the win but most of all we’re pleased with not conceding. We’ve set a goal to not concede any goals this week, and that’s going to be our approach to every game,” Cain said.

“We know we can score goals at the other end, and really we probably should’ve scored more in the second half, but those chances will go in on another day. We were honest, we matched their effort and that probably won us the game.”

Match Day Two on Wednesday will see Vanuatu play Tahiti at 12:30pm and New Caledonia take on New Zealand at 3:00pm.

OFC U-17 Championship New Zealand 2009

Coach: Nicolas Bach

Yellow cards: Patrick QAEZE 33’ 56’, Narcisse XOWIE 37’, Pascal KENON 63

Red cards: Patrick QAEZE 56’

TAH: 2. Raimana DAHLLUIN, 3. Christian VAHIRUA, 5. Kaurani VOIRIN, 6. Heitini TUPEA, 7. Rangitea BENETT (19. Kara FAURA 64’), 8. Franck MAUHARA, 10. Hiva KAMOISE (9. Rainui TZE YU 75’), 11. Heiarii TAVANAE,
13. Teaonui TEHAU (15. Henere VERNAUDON 86’), 14. Keanu DUCHEK, 23. Junior TERIITETOOFA (GK)

Coach: Steve Cain