Group A

New Caledonia topped the pool by defeating Papua New Guinea 4-1, while Vanuatu edged defending champions Fiji 1-0 in the other match on Saturday and should they both win again against Fiji and Papua New Guinea respectively they would wrap up the top two places with a game to spare.

Confirming a place in the final four of the eight nation is a step closer to qualifying for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, which for the first time welcomes two teams from the OFC qualifying tournament, specifically the winners of each semi-final.

Vanuatu toppled defending champions Fiji 1-0 in a tense affair thanks to Godine Tenene’s 61st minute strike, while New Caledonia battled back from a goal down to eventually run out 4-1 winners over Papua New Guinea.

While they now top the group on goal difference, New Caledonia were on the heels midway through the first half when Papua New Guinea’s impressive forward Giwi Simon caught Pothin Poma in possession and teed up Alu Awi for the game’s opening goal.