New Zealand secured its record ninth OFC U-16 Men’s Championship title at Stade Pater in Papeete today, defeating a determined Fijian team 3-1 in a thrilling final.
The team, coached by Martin Bullock, took an early lead in the third minute with a goal from Nathan Martin. Fiji equalized in the 28th minute when Farhaan Khan launched a long free kick from just inside New Zealand’s half. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, goalkeeper Joseph Chalabi misjudged the ball, allowing it to slip over him and into the net.
The match was tied 1-1 at halftime. The game took a turn in the 56th minute when both teams had players sent off; Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin received red cards after an altercation.
New Zealand regained the upper hand just five minutes later when they capitalized on a failed clearance from a corner, with Luke Brooke-Smith heading in the ball to make it 2-1. Justin Cardoso then cemented the victory for New Zealand with a well-placed strike, beating goalkeeper Isoa Lutui a couple of minutes later.
Both teams have qualified for next year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.