Fiji have defeated the Solomon Islands in a penalty shoot-out to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup™ 2027 and book their tickets to the final of OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026. 

The first semi-final at the PNG Football Stadium was decided by the lottery of penalties after a goalless 90 minutes, where Fijian goalkeeper Kirikiti Biu kept his cool to make two decisive stops to win the contest.

It’s the third year in a row that Fiji have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and just the third time they have reached the final of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, where they will face either New Zealand or Papua New Guinea in Saturday’s final.

Fiji had topped Group A in convincing fashion but were immediately given more problems by an energetic Solomon Islands front three here. Spearheaded by young sensation George Lea’i on the left wing, the Solomon Islands pressed high and created three good chances with the speed of their transition through the first 45 minutes.  

Right winger Barry Waletofea had the two best opportunities, hitting the side-netting, and then striking the bottom of the right post, both from shooting positions created by Lea’i. Striker Jayer Makarani also pulled an effort inches wide of the bottom-right corner in a goalless first half where Henry Fa’arodo’s side came closest to scoring.  

Goalkeeper Kirikiti Biu made a fingertip save to deny Gregy Gau from long range shortly after the break, but Fiji managed to weather the storm and slowly warmed into the contest as the energy levels of their opponents began to dissipate.  

Ryan Swami was their most persistent threat down the flank, pulling the ball back for striker Isoa Baselala to pull wide of the bottom-left corner from close range. He should have settled the match himself before it went to a penalty shoot-out too, lashing a close-range effort over the crossbar after being left unmarked inside the penalty box.  

Both sides had created chances, but neither had found the back of the net after 90 minutes, and the semi-final headed straight to a penalty shoot-out.  

Fiji lost to New Caledonia in a shootout at the semi-final stage in 2025, but made amends on this occasion. Goalkeeper Biu made two crucial stops, before striker Baselala struck the decisive penalty to  win the shoot-out 4-2. 

Fiji will play either New Zealand or Papua New Guinea in Saturday’s final, whilst Solomon Islands still have one last chance to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2027 should they win the third place play-off.

Fiji: 0  
Solomon Islands: 0 
Fiji win 4-2 on penalties

HT: 0-0  
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek