New Zealand defeats Solomon Islands 5-1 to open its OFC U-16 Men’s Championship campaign in Port Moresby
Jack Clegg scored twice as the ten-time defending champions overcame a spirited display from their Melanesian opponents at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby.
Previously, New Zealand had only lost one match at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship since 2007, a 0-5 defeat to the Solomon Islands in 2018 – who did well to frustrate their highly favoured opponents for much of the first half, sitting deep and soaking up the pressure.
They were unfortunate to concede the opening goal in the fashion they did in the 38th minute though, the referee adjudging the ball to have crossed the goal-line after a discussion with his assistant, as two defenders battled to clear from a New Zealand corner delivery.
Clegg doubled the defending champions’ lead shortly after the break, racing in-behind and beating Eddie Aefi from a one-on-one position.
The Solomon Islands kept fighting and halved the deficit in the 59th minute when Vaulton Hoova’s delivery sailed over the head of New Zealand keeper Will Martin, but the floodgates eventually opened in the final quarter.
Clegg added a second, whilst captain Ben Trenberth and Reuben Lee Sang also found the back of the net as New Zealand hit the Solomon Islands for five.
It’s the perfect way for New Zealand to begin their campaign. They face Tahiti next, whilst the Solomon Islands will be hoping to bounce back against Vanuatu, when the second matchday in Group B is played on Thursday.
OFC PRESS RELEASE
