Fiji has booked its place in the semi-finals of the 2025 OFC U-16 Men’s Championship as Group A winners after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Saturday at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Both teams entered the match already qualified for the knockout stage, but with top spot in the group still up for grabs. PNG’s semi-final ticket had been confirmed earlier in the day when Tahiti defeated the Cook Islands 5-0.
The Junior Bula Boys’ talismanic captain, Maikah Dau, once again proved decisive, scoring both goals to secure Fiji’s place at the top of Group A.
Dau opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a stunning direct free kick, before sealing the win from the penalty spot in the 80th minute.
Speaking after the match, Fiji coach Sunil Kumar praised his side’s discipline and focus.
“When we came into this match, our team values were trust and fearlessness. We knew PNG were strong and fast, so our main aim was to keep a clean sheet and I think we defended very well,” Kumar said.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Kumar emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation.
“We take each game one step at a time. Now that we’re in the qualification stage, the focus is on recovery, assessing injuries, and analyzing our opponents to improve in the right areas,” he added.
The OFC U-16 Championship semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, August 27, at the National Stadium. The first match kicks off at 1:30 pm local time, followed by the second semi-final at 5:00 pm.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
