New Zealand secured its record ninth OFC U-16 Men’s Championship title at Stade Pater in Papeete, 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. However, Fiji equalized in the 28th minute when Farhaan Khan launched a long free kick from just inside New Zealand’s half that misled goalkeeper Joseph Chalabi and found the net.
The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1. The match became ten-a-side in the 56th minute when Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin were both shown red cards following a confrontation, as officiated by Papua New Guinea’s referee David Yareboinen.
Just five minutes later, New Zealand regained the lead. After Fiji failed to effectively clear a corner, Luke Brooke-Smith capitalized by heading the ball into the net. Justin Cardoso further solidified New Zealand’s victory with a precise strike a few minutes later, beating goalkeeper Isoa Lutui.
Both teams have earned a spot in next year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.