Two months before they are set to compete at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, New Caledonia and New Zealand have become the first nations to qualify for the 2026 edition of the tournament, aside from the hosts Qatar.
That pair secured two of the three Oceania tickets courtesy of having reached the final of the ongoing OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in the Solomon Islands.
In the first semi-final, New Caledonia eased past Fiji on penalties after they were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The Junior Bula Boys had stormed through the group stage, winning all three matches, scoring nine and conceding just the once and took the lead just shy of the hour as captain Maikah Dau won and scored a penalty.
New Caledonia struck back though as Lenddy Wede raced onto a long ball, killed it with a fine first touch and then lashed a left-footed effort past Kirikiti Biu to make it 1-1 with 20 minutes to play.
That was the way things remained as the match then went straight to penalties. Fiji head coach Sunil Kumar made a late substitution in goal, with Kameli Keresoni coming on for the spot kicks but it was his opposite number who emerged as the star of the shoot-out. Sylvain Ipeze saving twice as New Caledonia edged things 5-4 to qualify for a third edition of the global finals.
Honiara’s National Stadium was also the venue for the second semi, where New Zealand saw off a brave Papua New Guinea side 2-0.
The Junior All Whites have won the last nine continental titles but were pushed for long periods by an impressive PNG outfit.
It took a stunning strike from 25 yards from Matias Nunez to finally break the deadline just after the hour before Ben Perez Baldoni added a second from the spot ten minutes later.
New Zealand will now face New Caledonia in Saturday’s decider, while Papua New Guinea will go head-to-head with Fiji for the final U-17 World Cup berth on the same day.
“The boys fought hard for this victory, giving it their all right to the end. During the penalty shootout, the pressure was intense right up until the final whistle. When the goalkeeper made the last save, all the pressure was released. The key to victory was the solidarity between the players, the team spirit and their determination.”
Francis Watrone, New Caledonia head coach
“I know that New Zealand qualify regularly for these age group events but it doesn’t take anything away from it or the shine isn’t any less and the boys and staff should be so proud of the performances both today and over the past weeks and months.”
Martin Bullock, New Zealand head coach
Images courtesy of OFC/Phototek
