Papua New Guinea have claimed the final place at August’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after ensuring they’ll win the qualifier series in Tonga.
The Papua New Guinea side have earned qualification with a game to spare at the four-nation tournament, winning their second match 7-0 against American Samoa.
With one match day remaining, Papua New Guinea have an unassailable lead on the tournament table.
They’ll fill the eighth spot at the main tournament to be played in the Solomon Islands from August 15-30, 2025.
The tournament will decide which three sides will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup to be held in Qatar.
New Zealand are the defending OFC champions.
Papua New Guinea seal second win at tournament
Five goals from Boas Tommy fired Papua New Guinea to a 7-0 victory against American Samoa in Nuku’alofa.
Main photo: Boas Tommy … scored five goals for Papua New Guinea. Photo credit: OFC Media Phototek.
Both teams had contrasting fortunes on match day one, with American Samoa conceding twice late on to drop two points against Vanuatu, whilst Papua New Guinea impressed in their victory over hosts Tonga.
Three goals in a little over ten minutes put Papua New Guinea in control in the opening period.
Tommy broke the deadlock following great work down the left side by Jaru Eron. Talo Lauofo saved Eron’s initial effort but was unable to stop Semmy, who slotted home from close range.
Semmy doubled his and his team’s tally minutes later, beating the American Samoan backline before keeping his composure to slide the ball home and put Papua New Guinea in control.
A spectacular third goal put the result beyond doubt. Peter Yagum found space in the inside-right channel and fired an outstanding effort across Lauofo and into the far corner.
Battle for possession between Papua New Guinea and American Samoa. Photo credit: OFC Media / Phototek.
Yagum added a fourth goal early in the second half, latching on to a through pass and expertly lifting his effort over Lauofo. the ball having just enough on it to cross the line.
To complete his hat-trick, Tommy finished from close range when an initial effort had been well saved by Lauofo.
The in-form striker added his fourth and Papua New Guinea’s sixth goal just past the hour mark.
An almost carbon copy finish minutes later gave Tommy his fifth goal as American Samoa’s high defensive line struggled to contain his pace.
Papua New Guinea will look to complete a flawless campaign when they face Vanuatu on match day three, with American Samoa taking on hosts Tonga.
Vanuatu earn draw after trailing by two goals
Vanuatu came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw with Tonga.
The hosts had suffered defeat at the hands of Papua New Guinea on match day one, while Vanuatu rallied late on against American Samoa to salvage a 2-2 draw.
The home side took a crucial lead.
Siaki Lonitenisi’s effort from range was arrowing wide of the target before the intervention of Sioeli Veatupu, who stuck out a foot to prod the ball home past Vanuatu goalkeeper Selwyn Kaltanak.
Lonitenisi added to his assist with a goal of his own just past the half-hour mark. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, his fierce strike flew past Kaltanak, as Tonga capitalised on their territorial dominance.
Tonga enjoy their lead against Vanuatu. Photo credit: OFC Media / Phototek.
Vanuatu lifted their performance in the second half but, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, could not convert it into goalscoring opportunities, with Tongan goalkeeper Gordon Li largely untroubled.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was from a set piece that Vanuatu found a way back into the game. Nelson Tawia excellently controlled a crossed free-kick before firing high into the net to give his side a lifeline.
That lifeline would be capitalised on in the final 10 minutes.
Substitute Wycliff Iarel arrived late at the back post to convert a deep cross from fellow sub Alexis Lolten and draw his side level.
Acknowledgement
We thank OFC Media for providing information for this story.
Main photo credit: OFC Media / Tonga Football Association.
Results
Games played on Tuesday May 6, 2025
American Samoa 0
Papua New Guinea 7 (Boas Tommy 28′, 34′, 49′, 63′, 66′, Peter Yagum 39′, 46′)
Tonga 2 (Sioeli Veatupu 22′, Siaki Lonitenisi 31′)
Vanuatu 2 (Nelson Tawia 71′, Wycliff Iarel 83′)
Games played on Saturday May 3, 2025
American Samoa 2 (Pati Faleagafulu 8′, own goall 45+4′)
Vanuatu 2 (James Tanga 90+2′ pen, Michel Albert 90+7′)
Papua New Guinea 5 (Albhan Rani 7′, Peter Yagum 13′, 42′, Boas Tommy 30′, 37′ pen)
Tonga 2 (Sitaleki Kautai 66′, Sioeli Veatupu 90+3′)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday May 9, 2025
Vanuatu v Papua New Guinea
Teufaiva Stadium, Tonga, 9am (NZT)
Tonga v American Samoa
Teufaiva Stadium, Tonga, 2pm (NZT)
OFC U-16 Men’s Championship
To be played in Solomon Islands August 15-30, 2025
- New Zealand
- Samoa
- New Caledonia
- Solomon Islands
- Fiji
- Tahiti
- Cook Islands
- Papua New Guinea
This story was first published on May 6 2025.