New Zealand defeated Fiji 7-1 in the Tahiti OFC U-16 Men’s Championship semi-finals, recovering from an early goal conceded by Fiji.
The game began with New Zealand working hard, but Fiji took a 21st-minute lead. Aaron Cartwright’s cross into the box was saved by Rakshan Suresh, who made up for his earlier mistake.
Fiji took the lead in the first quarter when left-back Krishna Samy Jnr put a long ball through for striker Veleni Rasorewa, who overpowered New Zealand captain Alex Lienard before poking the ball past Henry Murfitt.
However, the lead was short-lived as Aaron Cartwright stabbed the ball past Prakash in the Fiji goal.
New Zealand scored twice more before the break, with Luke Brooke-Smith scoring the first goal of the match. After the break, Cartwright bagged his second goal after the keeper was off his line and failed to clear a cross. Fiji came close to a second, but Brooke-Smith scored his hat-trick nine minutes from full-time.
Substitute Benjamin Perez Baldoni added a seventh goal deep into stoppage time, finding time and space in the area before finishing confidently.
New Zealand’s performance at the Tahiti OFC U-16 Men’s Championship is a testament to its resilience and determination.
New Zealand: 7 (Aaron CARTWRIGHT 27’, 50’, Justin CARDOZO 35’, Luke BROOKE-SMITH 43’, 45’, 81′, Benjamin PEREZ BALDONI 90+3′)
Fiji: 1 (Veleni RASOREWA 21’)
HT 4-1
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