UPDATE: Samoa, Tahiti win Group B games at OFC U-16 Men's Championship

Samoa and Tahiti have taken the initiative with opening round wins at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tahiti.

In the opening game of the eight-nation tournament, Samoa upset New Caledonia 2-0.

Later, hosts Tahiti left it late to get a 2-1 win against the Solomon Islands.

The tournament will decide which three nations represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.

Samoa upset fancied New Caledonians in opener

Samoa have stunned New Caledonia with a 2-0 win at Stade Pater to kick off Group B action at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.

Coach Valerio Raccuglia’s side had a limited preparation, with only a couple of training sessions together before arriving in Tahiti, but they impressed with a resolute defensive display, well marshalled by Isikeli Brown and Dante Leota, and a commanding midfield performance from Alonzo Taulapapa.

They deserved their victory.

Both goals came in the first half, largely against the run of play, as New Caledonia enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Main photo: Aaron Enoka (5) is congratulated by teammates after scoring Samoa’s second goal. Photo: OFC Media / DJ Mills / Phototek.

*Samoa’s Alonzo Taulapapa (left) and New Caledonia’s Michel Trohmae battle for possession. Photo: OFC Media / DJ Mills / Phototek.*

Samoa looked dangerous on the counterattack, and on a greasy surface, their long through-ball tactics sometimes caused uncertainty in the New Caledonian defence.

New Caledonia made a confident beginning to the match and Darryl Hmaloko fired against the outside of the post in the 4th minute, while at the other end, Bevan Jr Kapisi forced a fine save at the near post from Nicolas Kultran in the New Caledonia goal after a strong run down the flank.

Defender Fabrice Lopue went close for New Caledonia in the 12th minute with an audacious volley from the edge of the box.

Samoa took a shock lead through a 17th-minute own goal that rebounded off a defender and across the line following a curling cross into the box.

The goal sparked an immediate response from Leo Lopez’s side, who came close to levelling the scores in the 20th minute when Hmaloko hit the post for a second time.

New Caledonia continued to press forward, but their attacks were constantly thwarted by a resolute Samoan defence and were largely reduced to long-range attempts.

Five minutes before the break, the Samoans doubled their lead with Aaron Enoka running onto a through ball, outpacing the defence and sliding the ball past the on-rushing Kultran with the outside of his boot.

Samoa will next face the Solomon Islands as they look to clinch a semi-final berth, while New Caledonia will meet hosts Tahiti.

*Tahiti captain Tiahiti Colombani scored his side’s first goal. Photo: OFC Media / DJ Mills / Phototek.*

Late winner gets Tahiti win against Solomon Islands

Tahiti scored a late winner to beat the Solomon Islands 2-1 in a pulsating Group B clash at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papeete.

The hosts had to come from behind to claim a deserved win after dominating a high-quality encounter in front of a vocal home crowd at Stade Pater.

The Solomon Islands got off to the perfect start to the match when Ashley Kwaimasia opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, spotting the Tahiti keeper Keahi Tenania off his line and finding the net with his long-range effort.

The early goal silenced the home crowd, who had turned up in their hundreds to support Tahiti.

Stung by the early setback, coach Raiarii Golhen’s side quickly gained control of the midfield battle and Anahoa Aharau had two good chances to level in the first spell.

The first came after a jinking run, followed by a right-footed effort that forced a diving save from Solomon Islands goalkeeper Alick Hale in the 14th minute.

Five minutes later, Aharau found himself in space just inside the box but fired straight at the ‘keeper.

The Solomon Islands side were always dangerous on the counter, and Patty Kenimoi produced a weaving through the defence, nearly scoring a brilliant solo goal in the 34th minute, but Tenania dived to his left to make a great save.

Tahiti upped the intensity after the break and were soon back on level terms through their talismanic captain Tiahiti Colombani, who blasted a stunning free-kick past Hale in the 48th minute.

Three minutes later, Keahinui Brown forced Hale into making a diving save away to his left.

The chances kept coming for the home side, with the woodwork and a header off the line keeping the Solomon Islands side level.

Seven minutes later and Solomon Islands’ resistance was broken, when Keahinui Brown’s stinging left-footed shot from outside the box crept inside the post to give Tahiti the lead.

Next up for Tahiti is a battle with New Caledonia while the Solomon Islands must regroup when they face the day’s other winner, Samoa.

*The Solomon Islands team celebrate their early goal in the match.* *Photo: OFC Media / DJ Mills / Phototek.*

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the help of OFC Media in providing information for this story.

What’s at stake

The two finalists at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, and the third-placed team, will represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.