New Zealand secured its historic ninth title at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, winning 3-1 against a determined Fijian team in the final held at Stade Pater in Papeete.
The match began with an early goal from Nathan Martin, who scored for New Zealand in the 3rd minute. Fiji responded in the 28th minute with an equalizer when Farhaan Khan sent a long free kick from just inside New Zealand’s half that slipped past the New Zealand goalkeeper, Joseph Chalabi, into the net.
The first half ended with both teams tied at 1-1. In the 56th minute, the match took a turn when both teams lost a player; Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin received red cards during a scuffle.
Shortly after, New Zealand took back the lead in the 61st minute when Luke Brooke-Smith capitalized on a failed clearance from Fiji during a corner, heading the ball into the goal. Justin Cardoso later ensured victory for the Kiwis with a precise strike that left Fiji’s goalkeeper Isoa Lutui unable to respond.
Both New Zealand and Fiji have qualified for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar next year.