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NZ TAKES OFC U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN HEART-WRENCHING SHOOTOUT

New Zealand captured their sixth straight OFC Under-17 Soccer Championship title this past Monday when they downed Tahiti in a game that came down to a shootout after a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation play. They will now represent the Oceania Region in the 2015 Under-17 World Cup in Chile, October 17- November 8th.

 

After a scoreless first half for both teams, New Zealand got on the board first when at the 60 minute mark, Forward Logan Rogerson knocked one in, which erupted an elated crowd and supporters of the young All White players. As time was ticking down, a desperate and determined Tahiti team scored at the 81 minute mark when Honoaril Kohumoetini snuck one in to tie the game at one apiece. This is where the game stayed at until the end of regulation play.

 

At that time, a shootout occurred. A shootout (tie breaker) is when each team gets five shots at the goal—with five different players— with each player getting one shot at the goal, and  the goal is only being defended by the goalie.

 

Fortunately for New Zealand, they put in all five of their shots, while Tahiti managed only four — with one shot blocked by New Zealand goalie Michael Woud for the New Zealand victory

 

In the game for the 3rd and 4th places on Monday, it was Vanuatu taking on New Caledonia. Vanuatu wasted no time in this game as their standout player and perhaps the most outstanding player of the championship, Sylvain Worworbu scored at the 3 minute mark. Worworbu also put goals in at the 53 and 90 minute marks leading his team to a 6-0 victory over New Caledonia. The final standings for the Championship are as follows:

 

1st: New Zealand: OFC Under-17 Soccer Champions

 

2nd: Tahiti-OFC Under-17 runners-up

 

3rd: Vanuatu

 

4th: New Caledonia

 

Here are the awards that were handed out at the end of the championship finals:

 

Fair Team Play:

 

American Samoa

 

Golden Boot:

 

Larry Zama-Solomon Islands

 

Golden Glove:

 

Vaiaril Halligan-Tahiti

 

Golden Ball Award:

 

Logan Rogerson-New Zealand