Vanuatu have made it two wins from two at OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 – Qualifying, defeating American Samoa 20-0 at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre in Nuku’alofa.
The Melanesian side delivered a ruthless attacking display, Franso Shem, Rohan Masauvakalo, and Titus Robert, leading the way with a hat-trick each as Vanuatu equalled their largest victory in an OFC U-16 competition – a 20-0 win over Tonga in 2005.
Shem was the first to get off the mark inside the first 90 seconds, followed by Robert as Vanuatu opened up a five-goal lead inside 15 minutes.
Masauvakalo was the pick of the goalscorers through the first half, scoring five as Vanuatu went into the break 13 goals ahead – taking his tally to seven after scoring twice against Tonga in their previous match.
Vanuatu added seven more in the second half, half-time substitute Ettien Vuti resuming the scoring and grabbing a double.
Chimarco Vanuaroro and Matthew Naviti also got in on the action with goals off the bench late on, as Vanuatu closed out the win.
Vanuatu: 20 (Franso SHEM 2’, 45+3’, 53’, Titus ROBERT 3’, 15’, 35’, 52’, Own Goal 9’, 24’, 81’ Rohan MASAUVAKALO 11’, 21’, 43’, 44’, 45+5’, Brent KALUAT 28’, Ettien VUTI 49’, 57’, Chimarco VANUARORO 72’, Mathew NAVITI 83’)
American Samoa: 0
HT: 13-0
The Cook Islands have joined Vanuatu atop the table on six points at OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 – Qualifying, with a 2-0 victory over host nation Tonga at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre in Nuku’alofa.
Two goals in the space of three minutes gave the Cook Islands a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, inside the first quarter.
Both came from Tongan defensive errors – Taianu Williams nodding home a rebound that goalkeeper Hengihengi Otuhouma struggled to collect in the 16th minute, and captain Maui Denny scoring his second goal of the qualifying tournament after stealing possession inside the box in the 19th minute.
Needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, Tonga tried to rally, increasing their physicality around the middle of the park and creating several opportunities in transition for Sitaleki Kautai and Derric Tupou.
The gameplan proved detrimental when Kautai was shown a second yellow card and sent off just before half-time though, dealing the hosts a hammer blow and reducing them to ten men.
Tupou stabbed a shot wide of the right post at the start of the second half, as Tonga continued to throw the kitchen sink at a comeback.
The man disadvantage eventually wore them down though, as the Cook Islands held on for successive wins in an OFC U-16 tournament for the first time since 2017.
The result sets up a blockbuster clash between Cook islands and Vanuatu on Tuesday to decide who will qualify for OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026, whilst Tonga and American Samoa have both been eliminated and will both look to finish their campaigns with a win when they play each other to finish the tournament at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.
Cook Islands: 2 (Taianu WILLIAMS 16’, Maui DENNY 19’)
Tonga: 0
HT: 2-0
Photo credit: OFC Media