Fiji and New Caledonia make perfect start

The OFC World Cup Qualifying has gotten off to a good start for some.

The second round of qualifying got underway in Fiji Thursday.

New Caledonia took on Papua New Guinea in the first match of Group A, with New Caledonia scoring twice in the first half to help them to a win.

Joseph Athale scored from the penalty spot and Georges Gope-Fenepej capitalised on a poor clearance from PNG keeper Ronald Warisan to put the ball over the keeper and into the net.

In the second half Tommy Semmy pulled one back with twelve minutes to go, only for PNG to have their hopes smashed a few minutes later when Germain Haewegene scored following a corner.

In the second game, hosts Fiji took on the Solomon Islands,

And, as so many times before, it was Roy Krishna who ended up being the decisive factor. The Bula Boys captain capitalised on two defensive errors and smashed the ball into the net after 13 minutes of play.

Fiji then had a man sent off in the 39th minute, when Aporosa Yada was shown the red card.

Despite being a man down Fiji managed to hold on to what might prove a crucial win in the hunt for the top two in the standings.

Group A featuring New Zealand, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tahiti, which is being played in Vanuatu, kicks off later this week. The grups will be decided over the international window in November. The top two from each group advances to the final knockout stage in March next year, with the winner qualifying for the World Cup. 

About Author