Tahiti showed grit and composure to overturn an early setback and claim a 3-2 victory over hosts Solomon Islands in the fifth-place playoff at the OFC Men’s U-16 Championship at Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara.
In front of a lively home crowd, it was the Solomon Islands who struck first. Junior Sam rose highest from a corner in the 12th minute to power home a header and give the home side the perfect start.
But Tahiti’s response was swift. Just four minutes later, Tiaitau Vauquelin levelled the contest with a cool finish after excellent work from Aroarii Bennett. The Tahitians then began to settle into their rhythm, with goalkeeper Tokihi Tahutini called into action in the 29th minute to deny Sam a second goal.
Six minutes before the break, Tahiti took the lead when Bennett delivered a pinpoint cross for Vauquelin to nod home his second of the match. The Solomon Islands thought they had equalised through Ben Filia, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.
The visitors then delivered a hammer blow just before half-time. Manattéo Pittman’s clever ball across the face of goal was calmly tucked away by Thomas Pita-Bougues, sending Tahiti into the break with a commanding 3-1 lead.
The second half saw Tahiti continue to create chances, with Bennett and Puheitiny Robinson both firing over. But it was the Solomon Islands who set up a tense finish. Substitute Ajay Ufaria sparked hope for the hosts in the 75th minute, rifling a superb left-footed strike into the bottom corner to make it 3-2.
Roared on by their supporters, the home side pressed hard in the final quarter of an hour, but despite their attacking intent, they couldn’t find a way past the resilient Tahitian defence.
The result means Tahiti finish fifth at the tournament, while the Solomon Islands settle for sixth.
Tahiti 3 (Tiaitau VAUQUELIN 16’,40, Thomas PITA-BOUGUES 45+4’)
Solomon Islands 2 (Junior SAM 12’ Ajay UFARIA 75’)
HT 2-1