Photo Credit: OFC Media via Trevor Mallen Photography & Phototek
The group stage at the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers reaches a conclusion in the coming days, with a number of countries still in with a chance of advancing to the semi-finals in New Zealand early next year.
Here’s what each side needs over in the final round of matches to ensure they keep their FIFA World Cup dreams alive.
Group A
New Caledonia
New Caledonia were the first team to confirm their semi-final place after a 3-2 victory over Solomon Islands on Thursday. They will top Group A if they avoid defeat to Fiji on Sunday.
Fiji
Despite their dramatic draw with hosts Papua New Guinea, Fiji are still in the box seat to advance to the final four. They will do so if they avoid defeat to New Caledonia, with a win seeing them top the group.
They can still go through with a defeat however, providing Papua New Guinea either fail to defeat Solomon Islands, or do so without making up the current three goal gap in their goal difference.
Papua New Guinea
It was a heartbreaking draw for the hosts, as they took the lead against Fiji in stoppage time on Thursday, only to concede almost immediately from the kick-off, as it finished 3-3.
They know nothing short of a win will be good enough, with their hopes also dependent on New Caledonia beating Fiji and a favourable goal difference swing.
Solomon Islands
After two defeat from two, Solomon Islands are officially eliminated. Joshua Smith’s side were much improved against New Caledonia and were in a winning position before being pegged back in the second-half.
They will be hoping to sign off on a positive note against Papua New Guinea in their final match.
Group B
New Zealand
Strong favourites before qualifying began, New Zealand have backed up that tag, with two wins from two to guarantee their semi-final place.
A 3-0 victory over Tahiti in Port Vila was followed up by an impressive 8-1 victory on home soil against Vanuatu. They will confirm top spot in the group if they avoid defeat to Samoa on Monday.
Tahiti
Samuel Garcia’s side recovered from that defeat to New Zealand with a 3-0 win of their own against Samoa.
They will join the All Whites in the semi-final if they avoid defeat to Vanuatu on Monday. They could still win the group, but would require New Zealand to lose heavily to Samoa.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu kicked off their campaign at home with a win over Samoa but were then on the wrong end of a heavy defeat to New Zealand, leaving them in 3rd place.
Victory over Tahiti on Monday is their only hope of advancing to the final four, considering their inferior goal difference.
Samoa
Winners in Round One of qualifying, Samoa have acquitted themselves well, despite two defeats from two leaving them unable to advance.
Whilst their final match against New Zealand will be a significant challenge, it provides one last opportunity for Jess Ibrom’s young squad to gain valuable international experience.
Who’s going to make it through to the semi-finals in New Zealand in March of 2025?
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