New Zealand can secure a spot at next year’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup with a win against New Caledonia on Thursday afternoon (NZT).
The sides meet in the first semi-final at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tahiti.
Tahiti and Fiji will contest the second semi-final.
Qualification for the 2025 World Cup tournament is on the line with both finalists gaining automatic access to the tournament in Qatar, while the semi-final losers will get another chance to qualify.
For the first time in OFC tournament history, the winner of the play-off for 3rd place will also book their place at the expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup.
New Zealand, having scored 23 goals and conceded just one in their three Group A matches, start as firm favourites to get past an improving New Caledonia in the first semi-final.
Main photo: New Zealand … they can secure World Cup qualification in their next game. Photo credit: OFC Media
/ DJ Mills / Phototek.
“We know New Caledonia pretty well from playing against them quite a few times last season, so we know what they’ll bring, lots of pressing, high pressure and high energy,” New Zealand coach Martin Bullock said.
“There’s nothing key for us except continuing to play our own game which has served us well so far in this tournament.
“We’re looking forward to experiencing knockout football and we recognise that we’re just 90 minutes from potentially qualifying for a World Cup.”
New Caledonia feel they have been given a second chance, having started the tournament poorly, losing 2-0 to Samoa.
They improved against Tahiti but still lost 2-1, before on a dramatic final day of Group B action, coach Leo Lopez’s side thumped Solomon Islands 6-2, before Tahiti did them a favour, scoring a late winner to beat Samoa, a result which saw New Caledonia sneak into the semi-finals.
“Before returning to the hotel, we all gathered in the parking lot, with a long exchange of words between players and staff to bring down the excitement of having managed to snatch this qualification and quickly focus on mental and athletic recovery by already looking forward to our semi-final against the New Zealanders,” Lopez said.
“Of course, our opponents are favourites because of their incredible results with an impressive offensive power. But we will try to do the best, hoping to make them doubt a little. In any case, we go our best with a lot of humility and respect for our opponent.”
Tahiti, at home with a fully fit squad, will start as favourites against Fiji.
Coach Raiarii Golhen rested key players for their final group match against Samoa and his side, carrying the weight of expectation of what is sure to be a big vocal home crowd, will be expected to deliver.
“We are analysing Fiji’s matches and preparing a game plan,” Golhen said.
“We are counting on our home fans to lift us too.”
Fiji coach Sunil Kumar is comfortable with the underdog tag. The side hasn’t clicked for a full 90 minutes yet at the tournament, but the coach believes they are close.
“We must be on top of our game. We can’t afford to make mistakes in this match. The boys are excited about the match and the opportunity it presents.
“The key will be to stick to the plan and not get carried away by emotions as we are playing them at their home ground,” Kumar said.
If either semi-final is level after 90 minutes, it will be decided by a penalty shootout with no extra time scheduled at the OFC tournament.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful for the help of OFC Media in providing information for this story.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Thursday August 8, 2024 (NZT)
Semi-finals
New Zealand v New Caledonia
Stade Pater, Pirae, Tahiti, 1pm (NZT)
Tahiti v Fiji
Stade Pater, Pirae, Tahiti, 4pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday August 9, 2024 (NZT)
Play-off for fifth place
Cook Islands v Samoa
Stade Fautau, Papeete, Tahiti, 10am (NZT)
Play-off for seventh place
Vanuatu v Solomon Islands
Stade Fautau, Papeete, Tahiti, 1pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Sunday August 11, 2024 (NZT)
Play-off for third place
Losers semi-final 1 v Losers semi-final 2
Stade Pater, Papeete, Tahiti, 1pm (NZT)
Final
Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2
Stade Pater, Pirae, Tahiti, 4pm (NZT)
This story was first published on August 7, 2024.
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