Tahiti have booked a semi-final spot at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship, with their victory over Fiji and New Zealand’s win later in the day sealing their place.
A draw would have sufficed for Fiji, following their win over Vanuatu, whilst Tahiti needed all three points to keep their campaign alive.
It was an opening half low on chances, with Fiji making much of the early running. Jovesa Uqe had the clearest opening after 15 minutes, but dragged his effort wide of the far post having been fed by Bula FC’s Ryan Naresh.
Naresh himself had a chance later in the half, but fired his effort from distance over the bar when he should have tested Tahiti goalkeeper Titouan Courtois.
Tahiti threatened only intermittently but it was they who would make the breakthrough shortly before half-time
A neat through ball from Keahinui Brown found Elias Jamet and the forward prodded his effort past goalkeeper Usaia Tamaniqio, who despite his best efforts, couldn’t stop the ball crossing the line.
Ibraheem Afazal had a wonderful chance to level the scores soon after the break but was denied by a fine save from Courtois.
Their was a notable uptick in performance from Fiji in the second-half and Maikah Dau was next to go close, flashing an effort narrowly wide of the post.
Dau then had a well-struck free-kick from range that beat the wall but was well held by Courtois as Marika Rodu’s side began to turn the screw.
Fiji continued to press but to their credit, Tahiti’s defence stood firm. Courtois producing a couple of comfortable saves to keep the scores level.
Just seven minutes of regular time was left when Fiji were caught on the break. Nathan Scavazza drove past substitute Manasa Kubucaucau and drew a rash tackle just inside the box, with referee David Yareboinen pointing to the spot.
Captain Tauhiki Bohl took the penalty, comfortably sending Tamaniqio the wrong way and doubling his side’s lead – putting them in the box seat for a semi-final place.
There was more pain to come for Fiji, when Semi Natinavou was shown a red card following a fracas between the players. Tahiti’s Scavazza was also dismissed as the match ended ten versus ten.
Abdullah Khairati fired in a fantastic late goal for Fiji, but it proved to be nothing more than a late consolation.
Tahiti: 2 (Elias JAMET 45+7′, Tauhiki BOHL (P) 86′)
Fiji: 1 (Abdullah KHAIRATI 90+13′)
HT: 1-0
New Zealand made it three wins from three to finish their group stage campaign, with a devastating second-half performance against Vanuatu in the day’s later fixture.
The Kiwis were already assured of a semi-final spot and boasted a strong starting eleven, with OFC Pro League talents Eli Jones, Van Fitzharris and Dejaun Naidoo all in the line-up. Vanuatu meanwhile, needed all three points if they were to advance to the final four.
As expected, the defending champions enjoyed the majority of possession in the first-half, but Vanuatu posed considerable threat on the counter, with their pace and power a cause for concern in the New Zealand backline.
Oliver Grosso had the ball in the back of the net early on, only to be denied by the offside flag. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues then produced a solid save from Vanuatu goalkeeper Jesse Thomas with a low drive.
Waisea Henry was forced off, replaced by Bailey Ferguson and the substitute went close with a curled effort that narrowly passed Thomas’ right-hand post.
There were ten minutes remaining in the first-half when New Zealand finally found their breakthrough. Grosso was released down the right-hand flank and his low cross was finished from close range by Sloane-Rodrigues to open the scoring.
Van Fitzharris had the ball in the net shortly after but again the assistant referee deemed the forward had moved too early.
Grosso would add a goal to his assist in first-half stoppage time, capping a lovely team move. Bailey Ferguson played the ball into Van Fitzharris, who produced a neat one-two with Sloane-Rodrigues, before squaring for Grosso to tap into an unguarded net.
A third Kiwi goal arrived shortly after half-time. Vanuatu’s attempts to play the ball out from their own box backfired, with a loose ball falling straight to Ferguson, who finished first-time with aplomb.
Ferguson got his second and New Zealand’s fourth not long after with another well-taken effort, as the reigning champions began to flex their muscles.
Another substitute, Harley Hill, added a fifth – racing on to a nod down by Naidoo before smashing past Thomas from close range. Hill then turned provider, crossing for Ferguson to complete his hat-trick.
New Zealand will now begin their preparations for a semi-final later this week against New Caledonia, as Vanuatu’s campaign comes to an end.
Vanuatu: 0
New Zealand: 6 (Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES 35′, Oliver GROSSO 45+1′, Bailey FERGUSON 50′, 56′, 76′, Harley HILL 71′)
HT: 0-2
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek