Fiji has secured a place in the semifinals of the OFC U16 Championship in Tahiti as runner-ups in Group A by defeating Vanuatu 3-2.
Vanuatu took an early lead with a header from Sakaria Manipen following a corner kick, creating tension for the onlooking Cook Islands team, who had a vested interest in the game’s outcome.
As the match progressed, Fiji found their rhythm, with Krishna Samy sparking a turnaround. A defensive error by Vanuatu allowed Fiji to equalize, followed by a stunning free-kick goal from Shankar just before halftime.
Vanuatu’s Jefpta Taravaki kept their hopes alive with an equalizer early in the second half, seizing on a defensive lapse from Fiji. However, Fiji’s resilience was evident when Veleni Rasorewa headed in what turned out to be the decisive goal, assisted by an impeccable cross from Shankar.
The match concluded with Fiji advancing to the semifinals, giving them an opportunity not only for the OFC title but also to qualify for next year’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.