Action from the PNG and Fiji clash in the FIFA World Cup qualifier. 14 November 2024 Photo: OFC Media via Trevor Mallen Photography
New Caledonia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea are the front-runners for the semifinal spots from Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Port Moresby.
While New Caledonia earned thier first win with a 3-2 victory over the Solomon islands on Thursday, Fiji and PNG fought to a 3-all draw.
New Caledonia fought back from 2-1 down to score two goals and win the clash.
Fiji also fought back from 3-2 down with five minutes before time, scoring the goal that sealed the draw and gave both teams a point each.
Sunday’s final round will determine the two semifinalists, with Fiji meeting the Solomons and PNG taking on New Caledonia.
The current points standing see Fiji and PNG with four points each, while New Caledonia is on three.
The PNG side were on their way to winning the game, five minutes before fulltime, after Raymond Gunemba scored in the 95th minute to give the side a 3-2 lead.
The 38-year-old had climbed above the Fijian defense and goalkeeper Jerome Narayan to nod the ball into an empty goalmouth.
But replacement Merill Nand levelled for Fiji a minute later and shut off the vocal PNG fans on the stands, with a classic header after he had met a well-placed cross kick, in front of the PNG goal.
The home side started well, scoring their first goal just two minutes into the clash, with Joseph Joe taking advantage of a loose ball to drive home from inside the area.
Fiji replied with danger man Setareki Hughes, setting up Thomas Dunn to head in from six yards out.
Ati Kepo then pounced on a loose ball in the box and acrobatically lifted the ball over his own shoulder and past a desperate Narayan to give PNG a 2-1 lead at the breather.
Roy Krishna then scored from the penalty box to draw level again.
Then it was Gunemba, who delivered a powerful header that found the back of the net, igniting the home crowd.
But Nand responded with a well-placed header, leaving PNG in disbelief.
One of Fiji’s goalscorer and Player of the Match, Thomas Dunn, thanked supporters and urged them to back the team again on Sunday.
“Thank you to the fans who came out to support the Bula Boys,” he said.
“We look forward to the game against New Caledonia on Sunday and hope the fans will come out and support the boys agaian.”
Action from the New Caledonia and Solomon Islands clash in the FIFA World Cup qualifier. 14 November 2024 Photo: OFC Media via Trevor Mallen Photography
New Caledonia had earlier earned their first three points with a come-from-behind win over the Solomon Islands.
OFC Media said that Josh Smith’s side knew anything less than a win would leave them with a mountain to climb in their bid for a semi-final place.
Joseph Athale gave New Caledonia an early lead, with just six minutes on the clock, but the advantage lasted only a matter of moments, as Rafa Le’ai broke clear of the backline, before rounding the ‘keeper and lashing the ball into the roof of the net for the Solomons.
The heat was a major factor and the two teams struggled to keep pace.
Six minutes before the interval Javin Alick gave Solomon Islands a crucial lead. The big central defender rising highest and meeting a corner-kick unmarked to plant his effort in from just yards out.
Then they were denied three times in a row by New Caledonia goalkeeper Mickael Ulile saved the day for his team.substitute Gérard Waia who met the pull-back to hammer into the corner and give his side a lead.
Group B matches will be played in Hamilton tonight (Friday), with Samoa taking on Tahiti while Vanuatu will face New Zealand.
The top two teams after the final rounds on Sunday (Group A) and Monday (Group B) will meet in the semi-finals next March.
The Oceania winner will qualify for the world cup while the runner-up will get the chance to qualify through a play-off round.
Copyright © 2024, Radio New Zealand
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