New Zealand secured their record ninth OFC U-16 Men’s Championship title today at Stade Pater in Papeete, triumphing over a determined Fijian team with a score of 3-1 in the final match.
The team, managed by Martin Bullock, took an early lead in the 3rd minute with a goal from Nathan Martin. Fiji responded by leveling the game in the 28th minute when Farhaan Khan launched a long free kick from just inside New Zealand’s half that slipped past goalkeeper Joseph Chalabi, who misjudged the trajectory of the ball, allowing it to sail into the net.
The first half concluded with both teams tied at 1-1. Tensions escalated in the 56th minute when both Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin received red cards following an altercation, leaving both sides with 10 players.
Just five minutes later, New Zealand regained the lead when Luke Brooke-Smith scored after Fiji struggled to clear a corner kick. Justin Cardoso secured the victory for New Zealand a few minutes later with a decisive strike that left Fiji’s goalkeeper Isoa Lutui with no chance.
With this victory, both New Zealand and Fiji have qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar next year.