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 an exhilarating final.
Under the guidance of coach Martin Bullock, New Zealand took an early lead in the 3rd minute with a goal from Nathan Martin.
Fiji equalized in the 28th minute when Farhaan Khan delivered a long free kick from just inside New Zealand’s half that misjudged by goalkeeper Joseph Chalabi, resulting in the ball sailing over his head into the net.
The teams went into halftime level at 1-1.
The match saw both teams reduced to 10 players when Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin were each shown red cards by Papua New Guinea referee David Yareboinen in the 56th minute following a confrontation.
New Zealand regained the lead just five minutes later when Luke Brooke-Smith took advantage of a failure to clear a corner, heading the ball into the net.
Justin Cardoso confirmed the victory for the Kiwis with a timely strike a few minutes later, beating goalkeeper Isoa Lutui.
Both teams will advance to next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.