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New Caledonia’s Louis Brunet drives the ball against Solomon Islands during the 2024 OFC Men’s U19 Championship semi-final 1 at the FFS Football Stadium in Apia.
photo: OFC/DJ Mills
New Zealand and New Caledonia qualified for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile after defeating Fiji and Solomon Islands in the semi-finals of the Oceania Football Confederation U19 Men’s Championship in Apia.
New Caledonia beat Solomon Islands 3-2 in extra time early on, while New Zealand edged out the Young Bulla Boys 1-0 at the FFS Football Stadium on Monday.
New Caledonia and New Zealand will compete in the final of the Oceania Football Confederation U19 Men’s Championship on Thursday, while Fiji will play Solomon Islands for third place earlier in the day.
Going into the first semi-final, the Solomon Islands were unbeaten in the group stage.
But their away game against New Caledonia, who had to beat Samoa to reach the last four, saw them equalise with just minutes left before conceding with two minutes left in extra time.
New Zealand had not conceded a goal in this tournament and were favourites to win the second semi-final, but Fiji made them work hard.
Chris Greenacre returned to the dressing room after the two sides were tied at 0-0 and at the start of the second half, Chris Greenacre’s side had a great performance, Ryan Watson scoring in the box after the Fijian defenders failed to capitalise on a corner.
Mallika Rodu’s side almost immediately had a great chance to equalise after a handball was called inside the New Zealand 18-yard box, but Aidan Malakai Singh’s shot was saved by Kelly Sheard.
Results: Solomon Islands 2 (Gordon Arrow 37′, Jimson Abana 45+4′) New Caledonia 3 (Paul Kaiser 27′, Antoine Simane 86′, Capone Xurouet 118′) HT: 2-1; New Zealand 1 (Ryan Watson 48′) Fiji 0 HT: 0-0
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