Vanuatu top group A

Vanuatu’s Ronaldo Wilkins had a penalty saved in first half injury time but New Caledonia’s goalkeeper Mickael Ulile had moved off his line early giving Wilkins the chance to convert the retake for the game’s only goal.

It now earns them a semi-final against Solomon Islands in Port Vila on Tuesday with the winner claiming a place in next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea. New Caledonia also qualify for the semi-finals, travelling to Santo to challenge New Zealand for the other of Oceania’s two World Cup tickets.

Vanuatu’s perfect nine point haul sees them top a group at an OFC age-group championship for the first time and will allow them to prepare for Tuesday’s big match in the familiar surrounds of the Vanuatu Football Federation Academy.

“We’re happy to achieve the goal of winning the group and earning a semi-final in Port Vila,” said Vanuatu’s Technical Advisor Declan Edge.

“We’ll regroup tonight get some ice-baths in for the players. It was tough out here today. But we’ve haven’t conceded a goal again so we’re not bad.”

New Caledonia made a raft of changes for today’s match but it almost paid off in a tense encounter. With Fiji missing out on all three points New Caledonia were assured of their semi-final place before kick-off and had the freedom to attack in an effort to defeat the hosts and top the group themselves.

However New Caledonia coach Kemali Fitealeata was content despite the defeat.

“We’ve achieved our primary objective of reaching the semi-finals but we now face a short turnaround and a trip to play New Zealand.

“We lost the game today but I’m happy about the performance the players displayed this afternoon. Now our attention switches quickly to our preparations for New Zealand.”