New Caledonia will play in the final of the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship after coming from behind to beat them in the opening semi-final in Apia.
This victory has also ensured they will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ 2025 in Chile. New Caledonia made all the early running, with early sighters from Paul Qaeze and Louis Brunet keeping goalkeeper Gideon Abidan on high alert.
Qaeze broke the deadlock with a magnificent effort past Abidan and into the Solomon Islands net. However, Solomon Islands’ lead lasted only ten minutes, as defender Gordon Iro’s close-range header took an unfortunate deflection and left goalkeeper Gabin Rachel with little chance.
The semi-final’s crucial moment arrived with seconds left in the first half when the Solomon Islands completed their turnaround. Jimson Abana fired home from 12 yards out, and the game almost all but settled with seconds of the restart when Paul Francis beat his man well before curling an excellent effort towards the far corner, only to be denied by the crossbar.
The contest had an ever-growing physical edge, with both sides willing to match the other’s intensity across the pitch. New Caledonia’s probing was giving the Solomon Islands problems, with Abraham Morgan and Christopher Samo picking up bookings quickly.
Goal scorer Jimson Abana was a constant threat for the Solomons on the break, but his pace and power just lacked the complementary finishing.
With penalties looming, New Caledonia made the vital intervention at the death, with Kapone Xulue striking with two minutes of extra time remaining to clinch a dramatic victory.
Solomon Islands: 2 (Gordon IRO 37’, Jimson ABANA 45+4′)
New Caledonia: 3 (Paul QAEZE 27’, Antoine SIMANE 86′, Kapone XULUE 118′)
HT: 2-1
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