Latest news with #OFCU-16Men'sChampionship2025
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Vanuatu And Papua New Guinea End Campaigns With Low-Key Draw
Press Release – OFC Papua New Guinea had already confirmed their entry to the tournament, virtue of their two earlier wins and with little at stake, the match perhaps understandably lacked the pace and bite seen from both sides up to this point. Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea concluded their qualifying campaign for the OFC U-16 Men's Championship 2025 on match day three in Nuku'alofa with a 0-0 draw. Papua New Guinea had already confirmed their entry to the tournament, virtue of their two earlier wins and with little at stake, the match perhaps understandably lacked the pace and bite seen from both sides up to this point. It was a ninety minutes low of chances, though Papua New Guinea did show plenty of signs of the threat that led them to score a combined 12 goals across their first two matches. Boas Tommy – who has been in fine goal scoring form this week – had the best chance to break the deadlock. Usually so clinical in front of goal however, the forward headed wide when unmarked six yards from goal. Vanuatu may well look back at their time in Nuku'alofa with no shortage of frustration. They performed well here against a strong Papua New Guinea side and had they been able to convert one of their two previous draws in the tournament into three points, it could have been a very different story. Preparations can now begin for Papua New Guinea, as they look ahead to the OFC U-16 Men's Championship, to be held in the Solomon Islands this August. Matthew Witu's side will join Group A, alongside Cook Islands, Fiji and Tahiti.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Vanuatu And Papua New Guinea End Campaigns With Low-Key Draw
Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea concluded their qualifying campaign for the OFC U-16 Men's Championship 2025 on match day three in Nuku'alofa with a 0-0 draw. Papua New Guinea had already confirmed their entry to the tournament, virtue of their two earlier wins and with little at stake, the match perhaps understandably lacked the pace and bite seen from both sides up to this point. It was a ninety minutes low of chances, though Papua New Guinea did show plenty of signs of the threat that led them to score a combined 12 goals across their first two matches. Boas Tommy - who has been in fine goal scoring form this week - had the best chance to break the deadlock. Usually so clinical in front of goal however, the forward headed wide when unmarked six yards from goal. Vanuatu may well look back at their time in Nuku'alofa with no shortage of frustration. They performed well here against a strong Papua New Guinea side and had they been able to convert one of their two previous draws in the tournament into three points, it could have been a very different story. Preparations can now begin for Papua New Guinea, as they look ahead to the OFC U-16 Men's Championship, to be held in the Solomon Islands this August. Matthew Witu's side will join Group A, alongside Cook Islands, Fiji and Tahiti. HT: 0-0
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Papua New Guinea Continue 100% Record With Victory Over American Samoa
Press Release – OFC Both teams had contrasting fortunes on match day one, with American Samoa conceding twice late on to drop two points against Vanuatu, whilst Papua New Guinea impressed in their victory over hosts Tonga. Papua New Guinea have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the OFC U-16 Men's Championship 2025, with Boas Tommy's five goals leading them to victory over American Samoa in Nuku'alofa. Both teams had contrasting fortunes on match day one, with American Samoa conceding twice late on to drop two points against Vanuatu, whilst Papua New Guinea impressed in their victory over hosts Tonga. Three goals in a little over ten minutes put Papua New Guinea in control in the opening period. Tommy Boas broke the deadlock following great work down the left-hand side by Jaru Eron. Talo Lauofo saved Eron's initial effort but was unable to stop Semmy, who slotted home from close range. Semmy doubled his and his team's tally minutes later, beating the American Samoa backline before keeping his composure to slide the ball home and put Papua New Guinea in control. A spectacular third put the result beyond doubt. Peter Yagum finding space in the inside-right channel and firing an outstanding effort across Lauofo and into the far corner to reinforce his side's dominance. Yagum added a fourth early in the second-half, latching on to a through pass and expertly lifting his effort over Lauofo – the ball having just enough on it to cross the line. In the race for a hat-trick, it was Tommy who struck first. Finishing from close range when an initial effort had been saved well by Lauofo. The in-form striker added his fourth and Papua New Guinea's sixth just past the hour mark. An almost carbon copy finish minutes later gave Tommy his fifth as American Samoa's high defensive line struggled to contain his pace. Papua New Guinea will look to complete a flawless campaign when they face Vanuatu on match day three, with American Samoa taking on hosts Tonga.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Papua New Guinea Continue 100% Record With Victory Over American Samoa
Papua New Guinea have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the OFC U-16 Men's Championship 2025, with Boas Tommy's five goals leading them to victory over American Samoa in Nuku'alofa. Both teams had contrasting fortunes on match day one, with American Samoa conceding twice late on to drop two points against Vanuatu, whilst Papua New Guinea impressed in their victory over hosts Tonga. Three goals in a little over ten minutes put Papua New Guinea in control in the opening period. Tommy Boas broke the deadlock following great work down the left-hand side by Jaru Eron. Talo Lauofo saved Eron's initial effort but was unable to stop Semmy, who slotted home from close range. Semmy doubled his and his team's tally minutes later, beating the American Samoa backline before keeping his composure to slide the ball home and put Papua New Guinea in control. A spectacular third put the result beyond doubt. Peter Yagum finding space in the inside-right channel and firing an outstanding effort across Lauofo and into the far corner to reinforce his side's dominance. Yagum added a fourth early in the second-half, latching on to a through pass and expertly lifting his effort over Lauofo - the ball having just enough on it to cross the line. In the race for a hat-trick, it was Tommy who struck first. Finishing from close range when an initial effort had been saved well by Lauofo. The in-form striker added his fourth and Papua New Guinea's sixth just past the hour mark. An almost carbon copy finish minutes later gave Tommy his fifth as American Samoa's high defensive line struggled to contain his pace. Papua New Guinea will look to complete a flawless campaign when they face Vanuatu on match day three, with American Samoa taking on hosts Tonga.
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Vanuatu Strike Late To Rescue Draw Against American Samoa
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Vanuatu scored twice in injury-time to claim a 2-2 draw with American Samoa in the first game of OFC U-16 Men's Championship 2025 – Qualifying at Teufaiva Stadium in Tonga. Two first half goals pushed American Samoa ahead in the early morning sunshine, but Vanuatu miraculously rallied late in the piece to level it up in stoppage-time. The result means a share of the points for both nations on the opening matchday. It took just eight minutes for the opening goal, Pati Faleagafulu turning a cross from Leo Ne'emia into the back of the net, to give American Samoa the lead. With the early advantage, they continued to press high in search of another, but left themselves exposed in transition. That allowed Vanuatu to get in-behind on a number of occasions, with James Wesly hitting the post and Taalo Lauofo saving an effort from Mathew Naviti. A defensive error from Jared William down the other end doubled American Samoa's lead just before the break, turning the ball into his own net, under pressure from Ne'emia. The guilt-edged chances continued to come for Vanuatu in the second half as they pursued a route back into the contest, notably when Slora Korikalo hit the crossbar and then missed the rebound effort from point-blank range. Eventually they found a way to the back of the net deep into stoppage-time though, triggering a dramatic late comeback. First James Tanga halved the deficit from the penalty spot, before subsitute Michel Albert turned home a free kick delivery to level the scores and spark wild celebrations from the Vanuatu camp. Both sides are back in action on Tuesday, with American Samoa facing Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu up against hosts Tonga.
