Fiji kicked off their OFC U-16 Men’s Championship campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over New Caledonia at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Fiji started strongly and dominated throughout, as they laid down their credentials in Group A.

Zaman Shah gave Fiji the lead after just 13 minutes – the forward taking advantage of some slack play from New Caledonia as they tried to play out from the back, nicking possession and hammering a left-footed effort past goalkeeper Jeremy Fere from the edge of the penalty box.

Minutes later and the lead was doubled. Shah’s free-kick from the right flank was cleared as far as Rayyaan Mohammed, who’s well-hit effort hit the underside of the crossbar, only for Isoa Baselala to react quicker than anyone else to nod home from close range.

Maikeli Ratuove and Shah both went close in the final moments of the first period, forcing Fere into two good saves to ensure New Caledonia remained in the contest at the break.

New Caledonia turned to the bench, bringing on Titouan Deniaud , Jean-Christ Wea and Valdo Teanyouen as they looked to swing the momentum in their favour. Fiji remained comfortable though, without offering too much threat of adding to their first-half goals.

Chances remained at a premium, with neither side able to muster any substantial efforts on goal. Fiji especially struggled to match the impressive intensity and tempo they had displayed in the opening fourty-five minutes.

Fiji would comfortably see out the remainder of the 90 minutes to get their tournament up and running and boost their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.

New Caledonia: 0
Fiji: 2 (Zaman SHAH 13′, Isoa BASELALA 17′)

HT: 0-2

Hosts Papua New Guinea impressed in their opening day victory over 10-man Samoa in the evening fixture.

Already well on top, Papua New Guinea’s task was made more comfortable when Samoa were reduced to ten men late in the first-half.

By that point, they were already 2-0 up, with Jaru Eron and Toka Goro both getting on the scoresheet within two minutes of one another.

14 minutes were on the clock when Eron opened the scoring. The full-back burst forward from the left flank, beating two men before rounding goalkeeper Moemanatu Lesatele and tapping into the unguarded net.

Two minutes later and Toka Goro doubled his side’s lead. Iga Steven with good work down the left, crossing for Goro to capitalise on Samoa’s poor defensive clearance to scramble the ball home.

Captain Mathew Sopo hit the bar late in the half before Samoa picked up a red card in first-half stoppage time. Boas Tommy was played through on goal, only to be tripped on the edge of the area by Bevan Jr Kapisi, leaving the referee with little choice other than to brandish the red card.

Papua New Guinea continued their dominance in the second period as Samoa tried their best to adjust to the man disadvantage.

Just over an hour was on the clock when the home side made their pressure count. Nigel Gunemba finding Boas Tommy with a slide rule through pass, allowing Tommy to check back inside onto his right foot and fire past Lesatele.

To their credit, Samoa held firm for much of the second half. Lesatele especially produced a number of smart saves to keep the score down, as Papua New Guinea pushed to add to their tally.

The ‘keeper was unable to prevent Iga Steven adding a fourth in the 80th minute however. John Millis’ cross was met by Klivet Ronald, who couldn’t make the ideal connection, only for Steven to follow up and scramble the ball in from a couple of yards out.

The win gives the hosts a perfect start, as they now look ahead to facing New Caledonia on Wednesday.

Papua New Guinea: 4 (Jaru ERON 14′, Toka GORO 16′, Boas TOMMY 61′, Iga STEVEN 80′)
Samoa: 0

HT: 2-0

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek