Tahiti has secured a crucial three points after narrowly defeating Vanuatu 1-0 at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2024 in Samoa.
Twelve minutes into the match, Tahiti won a penalty after a cross struck the hand of Vanuatu’s Jean Patriano Natou. Franck Papaura stepped up to take the penalty but sent his shot over the crossbar.
Papaura had another opportunity when a ball clipped across the 18-yard box found him, but he mishit his shot, sending it wide of the target.
A wonderful free kick from Cedovan Taniel prompted Vanuatu’s goalkeeper Joseph Nakou to make a great low save, denying Tahiti.
Tahiti dominated the first 45 minutes but failed to capitalize on their chances, leaving the scoreline unchanged at halftime.
Vanuatu had the first shot in the second period with a quick counterattack, as Sergio Waoute rushed down the middle of the field and forced a good save from Tahiti’s goalkeeper Keahinui Heinis.
Waoute again threatened Tahiti on the break, managing to dribble past Heinis, but scuffed his shot well wide of the goal.
Desperately seeking a winning goal, Tahiti finally found it. Papaura connected with a fine cross from Bradley Ruiz at the near post, steering his shot past Nakou.
Papaura had another chance to score, after being found free in the box following a cross, but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper.
The victory for Tahiti means they still need a result against the Solomon Islands, while Vanuatu needs a win against Fiji and favorable results on Thursday to have a chance to progress.