Samoa have clinched 7th place at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in the Solomon Islands after defeating the Cook Islands 5-3 on penalties, following a tense goalless draw at Honiara’s Lawson Tama stadium.
Ninety minutes plus injury time of an absorbing contest couldn’t separate the sides, with both knowing the stakes were high, the loser would face the prospect of next year’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship Qualifying tournament. That pressure perhaps led to a cautious first half, with few clear-cut chances created.
The Cook Islands enjoyed more of the ball but struggled to seriously test Samoa goalkeeper Damien Saienisi. At the other end, Samoa’s Bevan Kapisi Jr. forced a fine save from Cook Islands stopper Tearii Scheel with his side’s best first-half opportunity.
Samoa looked the more dangerous after the break. In the 59th minute, Kapisi narrowly missed connecting with a teasing cross before Phoenix Wilson sent a header wide from a corner moments later. Taika Blood also saw an effort blocked as the Cook Islands came under increasing pressure.
With 10 minutes to play, Samoa captain Isaac Edward broke through on goal but was denied by Scheel’s smart save. Just two minutes later, Darragh Williams rattled the post with a powerful free kick — the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock.
The stalemate meant penalties would decide the contest, and Samoa held their nerve to convert all five spot-kicks, while the Cook Islands missed once, sealing a 5-3 shootout victory for the Samoans.
HT: 0-0
Cook Islands: 0
Samoa: 0
Samoa win 5-3 on penalties