Host nation Samoa outclassed Papua New Guinea in their opening Group B match of the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Apia today.
Captain Pharrell Trainor scored Samoa’s lone goal of the opening stanza to give them a narrow lead at the break. He again got on the score-sheet in the 47th minute before PNG pulled one back through Nalau Moses, but Juan Gobbi’s 82nd-minute goal sealed the deal for the home side.
The victory sets up an intriguing clash for Samoa against champions New Zealand on Tuesday, while Papua New Guinea will now have to chase a positive result against New Caledonia.