New Caledonia's Louis Brunet controls the ball v Solomon Islands at the OFC Men's U19 Championship 2024, Semi Final 1, at the FFS Football Stadium Apia. Photo: OFC / DJ Mills
New Zealand and New Caledonia have qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2025 in Chile after they came out victorious over Fiji and Solomon Islands in the OFC U19 Men's Championship semifinals in Apia.
New Caledonia came from begind to beat Solomon Islands 3-2 in extra time, while the Kiwis edged the Junior Bula Boys1-0 at the FFS Football Stadium on Monday.
New Caledonia and New Zealand will play in the final of the OFC U19 Men's Championship on Thursday, while Fiji will take on Solomon Islands in the playoff for third place earlier that same day.
Heading into the first semifinal, Solomon Islands were undefeated in the group stages of the competition.
But they the game away to New Caledonia - who had to fight past Samoa to reach the final four - allowing them to gram an equaliser with only minutes from full time, before conceding wo minutes of extra time remaining.
New Zealand, who have yet to concede a goal in the competition, were favourites to win the second semifinal. But the Fijians made them work for it.
After heading to the dressing room, locked 0-0, Chris Greenacre's came out guns blazing to kick off the second half, with Ryan Watson scoring from inside the box after the Fijian defence failed to with a corner.
Marika Rodu's side was given the perfect opportunity to level the scores almost immediately when a handball inside the New Zealand 18-yard box. But Aidan Malakai Singh's effort was saved by Kelly-Heald.
Results: Solomon Islands 2 (Gordon Iro 37', Jimson Abana 45+4') New Caledonia 3 (Paul Qaeze 27', Antoine Simane 86', Kapone Xulue 118') HT: 2-1; New Zealand 1 (Ryan Watson 48') Fiji 0 HT: 0-0
