Samoa’s Pele Fatu makes a great save ahead of Tahiti’s Eddy Kaspard. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Tahiti scored three second-half goals to beat Samoa 3-0 at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Friday evening in the Group B FIFA World Cup 2026 OFC Qualifiers.
The goals came through ‘Player of the Match’ Eddy Kasparo, Benoit Mathon, and captain Teanoui Tehau, who all beat Samoan goalkeeper Pele Fatu, who had played well to stop earlier attempts.
Kasparo rose high to nod the ball into the back of the net, beating Fatu, who was left sitting on his knees on the goalline in the 63rd minute to give Tahiti a 1-0 lead.
Then five minutes later it was Benoti Mathon who slotted the ball in from in front of Fatu, who spilled the ball as he went down to stop Gitton’s cross. That gave Tahiti a 2-0 lead.
In the 86th minute Tehau finished off a nice combination for their third goal.
Samoa’s loss, their second in the qualifier so far, meant they join the Solomon islands as the two teams who are now out of contention for a semi-finals spot.
Kasparo said he was happy that he was able to contribute to the win, which was the team’s focus.
“Our main goal was to win the game and we reached that objective,” he said through the team’s translator.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to score the first goal, which gave the full confidence to go through the entire game.”
Winning coach Samuel Garcia praised Kasparo and said it was tough game, especially with the wet conditions.
“Eddy is a talented player and was challenged in the first half because of the conditions but he set us up for the win,” he added
Tahiti’s Eddy Kaspard celebrates his goal. FIFA World Cup 2026 OFC Qualifiers. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Garcia said it was good to have the win, despite the conditions, and build towards their last clash against Vanuatu on Monday.
“It was very hard but we kept our focus and we kept on going,” he said through a translator.
“Samoa played really well in defense in the first half. Obviously the rain was a challenge but we managed to overcome this challenge and score the goals to win.”
Samoan head coach Jess Ibrom was still happy with how his team performed in the conditions, despite the loss, saying they have a lot of young players.
“Very tough conditions. I thought at one time we were playing in the islands,” he said.
“Very difficult conditions to play in. Tahiti managed to control the conditions better than us.
“Everyone were amazing, such a young group.”
He also had special praise for his goalkeeper.
“He was very good, amazing, big moments during the game and I was very proud of him.”
Rain, which had started in the morning, continued to pour down on the pitch, as the game kicked off.
It turned out to be a major factor in the game, as both teams found it challenging when the game progressed, to push the ball through passes on some parts of the water-logged pitch.
A disappointing crowd turnout of about 100 people were on the stands, to watch the action.
Tahiti made the first real attack after two minutes and Manuari Shaun was tripped outside the box, presenting captain Teaonui Tehau with a chance to attempt for goal. His kick sailed over the Samoan defense and out, with a slight header off a Samoan resulting in a corner kick.
Samoa had a chance of their own as captain Andrew Setefano’s attempt was turned over the line for a corner kick.
Samoans Pharrell Trainor, Faiti Hamilton-Pama and Darcy Knight could not connect with Daunte Mariner and Setefano as the team searched for an opening.
Tahiti stood strong in their defense with Matatia Paama, Tehotu Gitton and Mathon stopping any advances towards their goal.
Fatu tapped the ball over the net for Samoa from a Tehau header in the 23rd minute as Tahiti mounted pressure.
Referee Kavitesh Behari of Fiji kept a tight rein on the game, watching for possible illegal tackles as the slippery surface made presented challenges for players.
Tahiti’s goalkepper Teave Temotuaitau spent most of the first half watching the game from the back.
In the 43rd minute Fatu pulled the ball off from mid-air in front of a jumping Eddy Kasaparo, keeping his goalmouth intact.
Then Tehau sent the ball just over the net from the edge of the box.
The teams were locked nil-all at halftime.
Tahiti’s Eddy Kaspard celebrates his goal. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Slip sliding became the main act in the second spell as the rain continued when play resumed after the break.
But Tahiti managed to use their chances in the spell to claim the win.
Kasparo, who worked tirelessly, had the first chance with a through ball in the 56th minute but lobbied the ball out of direction, before replacement Mauri Heitaa and Kasparo again had their attempts nullified by Fatu.
Three attempts later Kasparo made sure job of his header, sending it into the back of the net, to give Tahiti a 1-0 lead as the rain eased off.
In the 68th minute Mathon slotted the ball in from in front of Fatu, who spilled the ball as he went down to stop Gitton’s sliding cross across the slippery turf.
CaptainTehau then scored his side’s third goal from inside the box, placing the ball to the side of the net, one again beating a flat-footed Fatu.
Samoa will meet New Zealand while Tahiti takes on Vanuatu in the third round in Auckland on Monday.
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