The Solomon Islands have clinched the top position in Group A and secured a spot in the semi-finals after a 1-0 victory over Tahiti in the final group stage match of the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa today.
Entering the match, both teams understood the stakes: a win or draw would have allowed the Solomon Islands to top the group and advance, while Tahiti needed a victory to secure their place in the last four.
After a scoreless first half, the match was decided in the second period when Jimson Abana drove towards the byline and cut the ball back for James Laena, who smashed it past the goalkeeper.
The result marks three consecutive wins for the Solomon Islands, who managed to advance through the group stage without conceding a single goal.
They now await the outcomes of tomorrow’s Group B matches to determine their next opponent, while Tahiti finishes third in the group and will compete in the fifth place playoff on Tuesday.