The stage is set at the National Stadium as four teams battle for a place at next year’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar, with the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2025 now at the semi-final stage.
Oceania has three qualification spots, and three of the four semi-finalists are aiming for back-to-back qualifications after last year’s success in Tahiti.
The opening semi-final promises fireworks, with two sides that qualified for the 2025 World Cup set to face off once again.
Fiji’s Junior Bula Boys, who topped Group A with a perfect record, will take on New Caledonia, who secured their spot on the final day of Group B after thrashing Samoa 5-0 to finish as runners-up.
In the second semi-final, Papua New Guinea will be chasing history. PNG last reached this stage in 2018 in Tahiti, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to eventual champions New Zealand.
Eight years on, Matthew Witu’s side is determined to end New Zealand’s dominance and seal a maiden World Cup qualification at this age level.
Defending champions New Zealand, meanwhile, are chasing a record 12th OFC title. Martin Bullock’s team showed their firepower in their final group match, dismantling hosts Solomon Islands to finish top of Group B in style.
The first semi-final kicks off at 1:30 pm local time, followed by the second at 5:00 pm, both at the National Stadium.
The winners of Wednesday’s matches will automatically book their tickets to Qatar, while the two losing sides will have one final chance to qualify in Saturday’s third-place playoff.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
