Vanuatu is the fourth and final side through to Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup qualifiers that starts on May 29 in Adelaide, after securing an upset 3-0 win over Fiji earlier today.
Vanuatu is the fourth and final side through to Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup qualifiers that starts on May 29 in Adelaide, after securing an upset 3-0 win over Fiji earlier today.
The win elevated the Carlos Buzzetti coached side to the top of Group 2 above Fiji, with Papua New Guinea (4-1 winners over Samoa) finishing just behind.
Both sides showed no quarter in the opening half until Lorry Thompsen-s goal just before half-time provided the breakthrough.
In the second half, the Vanuatu team grew in confidence shutting down Fiji without their star striker and the tournament-s leading goal-scorer, Veresa Toma, who was rested. A brace of goals to defender Wilkins Simon Lauru extended Vanuatu-s lead after the break.
In the latter match, with Papua New Guinea-s chances of progressing blown away by Vanuatu-s win, one might have expected them to be a little down. However they ended their campaign with a comfortable 4-1 win.
PNG led by two at the break through goals to Reginald Davani and Andrew Lepani. In the second half, Andrew-s brother Nathaniel added to PNG-s score with Ericson Komeng ending the scoring for PNG.
Samoa-s veteran striker Junior Michael, one of his side-s best performed players during the tournament, scored a consolation goal a minute after Komeng-s goal to restore some pride for the host nation who missed several leading players through injury and unavailability.
