PNG remains upbeat as Fiji wins eliminations.
PNG and Tahiti will have to wait until the final matchday, while Fiji advances to the knockout stages with their second victory.
At the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024, Fiji captain Roy Krishan celebrates one of his goals against Samoa (Photo: OFC Media via Phototek) It was Papua New Guinea versus Tahiti in the first game of the day. While Tahiti was hoping to advance to the next round after defeating Samoa on the first day, PNG was hoping to recover from their crushing defeat against Fiji. But the two heavyweights would end up drawing.
Matéo Degrumelle led Tahiti’s brilliant counterattack, breaking away from defense to draw goalie Ronald Warisan and dink the ball deftly into the far corner. PNG recovered right away. It took just nine minutes for the equalizer to arrive, and Ati Kepo, a midfielder for Hekari United, was at the center of the attack. He overcame his opponent in the box and then sent a kind pass to Pala Paul, who was waiting to roll the ball into the open net.
Tommy Semmy of Papua New Guinea during the match over Tahiti (Image: OFC Media via Phototek) And the game’s total score was limited to those two goals in the first half. Thus, on the last day, when PNG plays Samoa and Tahiti plays Fiji, the teams will find out which one advances. Speaking of the hosts, Samoa was easily defeated by the Bula Boys in the late kickoff.
Setareki Hughes of Rewa FC opened the score in less than three minutes. The attacking midfielder received the ball on the right-hand touchline, cut to his left foot of choice, and fired low past Joel Bartley, the Samoan goalkeeper, to score. After a nice Hughes cross, Thomas Dunn extended the advantage with a well-placed looping header over Bartley. In stoppage time, Roy Krishna was brought down in the box, earning a penalty kick that he himself converted.
The goals continued to come in the second half, and Fiji eventually prevailed 9-1.
