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New Zealand won the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship for a record ninth time today, defeating a spirited Fijian side 3-1 in a thrilling final at the Pate Stadium in Papeete.
Martin Block’s teamroad Minutes, batted in by Nathan Martin.
Fiji equalised in the 28th minute when Farhaan Khan fired a long free kick into the box from just inside the New Zealand half.
New Zealand goalkeeper Joseph Chalabi misjudged the ball and it flew over his head and into the net.
At halftime, the score between the two teams was tied at 1-1.
Both teams were reduced to 10 players in the 56th match when Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin were sent off by Papua New Guinea referee David Yareboinen.day After a minute of melee.
New Zealand regained the lead five minutes later when Fiji failed to clear a corner kick and Luke Brooke-Smith headed the ball into the net.
Justin Cardoso sealed the win for New Zealand minutes later with a well-placed shot that beat goalkeeper Isoa Lutui.
Both teams have qualified for next year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
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