World Cup Qual. OFC
๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ-๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ป.
last year - 11/14/2024 5:42 PM GMT-3
New Caledonia have one foot in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 26โข Oceania Qualifiers after an impressive come-from-behind victory over Solomon Islands at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Having lost their opening Group A match in Suva last month to Fiji, Josh Smithโs side knew anything less than a win today 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 Raphael Lea'i broke clear of the backline, before rounding the โkeeper and lashing the ball into the roof of the net.
In sweltering heat in Port Moresby, it was Solomon Islands who appeared to be handling the conditions better. Despite this however, New Caledonia almost restored their lead โ Georges Gope-Fenepej with a strong run, beating Philip Mango with his low effort, only to see the ball thud off the base of the post.
Six minutes before the interval Javin Wae 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.
New Caledonia almost restored parity within seconds of the restart. Katrawa with an excellent run down the right-hand side, cutting onto his left and firing an effort narrowly wide of Mangoโs goal.
At the other end, Solomon Islands were thrice denied, once by an excellent save by Mickael Ulile and the two subsequent goal line clearances as New Caledonia somehow held on.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness, when New Caledonia were given the chance from the spot to equalise. Athale stepped up and cooly converted for his second to level matters.
The turnaround was complete in the 69th minute, Johann Sidanerโs side flooded forward, and it was substitute Gรฉrard Waia who met the pull-back to hammer into the corner and give his side a lead.
Solomon Islands will now be reliant on results elsewhere if they are to have any hope of advancing to next yearโs semi-finals in New Zealand.
Solomon Islands:ย 2 (Raphael LEA'I 9โ, Javin WAE 39โ)
New Caledonia:ย 3 (Joseph ATHALE 6โ (P), 59 (P), Gรฉrard WAIA 69โฒ)
HT: 2-1
Visit ofcfootball.com for more details.
Having lost their opening Group A match in Suva last month to Fiji, Josh Smithโs side knew anything less than a win today 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 Raphael Lea'i broke clear of the backline, before rounding the โkeeper and lashing the ball into the roof of the net.
In sweltering heat in Port Moresby, it was Solomon Islands who appeared to be handling the conditions better. Despite this however, New Caledonia almost restored their lead โ Georges Gope-Fenepej with a strong run, beating Philip Mango with his low effort, only to see the ball thud off the base of the post.
Six minutes before the interval Javin Wae 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.
New Caledonia almost restored parity within seconds of the restart. Katrawa with an excellent run down the right-hand side, cutting onto his left and firing an effort narrowly wide of Mangoโs goal.
At the other end, Solomon Islands were thrice denied, once by an excellent save by Mickael Ulile and the two subsequent goal line clearances as New Caledonia somehow held on.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness, when New Caledonia were given the chance from the spot to equalise. Athale stepped up and cooly converted for his second to level matters.
The turnaround was complete in the 69th minute, Johann Sidanerโs side flooded forward, and it was substitute Gรฉrard Waia who met the pull-back to hammer into the corner and give his side a lead.
Solomon Islands will now be reliant on results elsewhere if they are to have any hope of advancing to next yearโs semi-finals in New Zealand.
Solomon Islands:ย 2 (Raphael LEA'I 9โ, Javin WAE 39โ)
New Caledonia:ย 3 (Joseph ATHALE 6โ (P), 59 (P), Gรฉrard WAIA 69โฒ)
HT: 2-1
Visit ofcfootball.com for more details.
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