NZ FIGHT BACK TO DEFEAT TAHITI

New Zealand have continued their unbeaten run at the OFC U-20 Championship with a come-from-behind win over Tahiti at the Luganville Soccer City Stadium in Santo, Vanuatu.

The hosts of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015, who opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over the Cook Islands on Saturday, moved to the top of the Group B standings after a hard-fought 4-1 win in the hot and humid conditions.

“I am really happy with the boys,” said NZ U-20 coach Darren Bazeley. “It was a tough game with their style of play and the players they have. It was very competitive out there. There weren’t many chances and they are very good at spoiling play so I am pleased with the character we showed. Our boys know all about the pressure and how much we need to win so to go a goal down and still come out with an impressive win was a good shift in a tough game.”

Tahiti, who famously upset New Zealand in 2008 to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, went ahead in the 27th minute when Raumatahi Noho got the final touch on the end of a free kick for Tahiti.

“We had two or three opportunities from set plays in the first half and they went down our end and scored which was disappointing but I was most pleased with the way the boys bounced back after conceding the goal,” said Bazeley.

But the response was immediate from the New Zealand side as they look to qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. A floated free kick caused Tahiti all sorts of problems and their goalkeeper took Sarpreet Singh out of play. Referee Medric Lacour did not hesitate in pointing to the spot and midfielder Moses Dyer converted the penalty in the 39thminute.

“It was a scrappy first half so to get the penalty – which was fully deserved – and for Moses to put it away was good for us to get into half-time and settle things down a bit. I asked the guys to come out in the second half and take the game to Tahiti and they did exactly that. We created some chances and took them and put in a really good performance.”

The scores remained 1-1 at half-time and both teams came out fighting from the get-go in the second half which prompted referee Medric to talk to both captains. Bazeley made two changes at the break with Singh and Charlie Thomas making way for Lucas Imrie and Jake Porter respectively but it did not stop their momentum.

New Zealand went ahead with their skipper Clayton Lewis, one of the standout performers all afternoon for the New Zealand team and a constant threat on goal, who hammered a low drive in at the back post. Tahiti tried to fight their way back into the game but took their physical approach too far. Hauragi Huri, who was cautioned in the first half, was sent off when he was shown a second yellow card and it proved to be a turning point in the match.

“It is difficult in the Islands, the pitches are very hard and the ball bounces around. There are a lot of challenges that are very competitive shall we say and we stood up to the test. Once they had a player sent off it was hard for them to stay with us.”

Two minutes later defender Hunter Ashworth put New Zealand further ahead when he capitalised on Tahiti going down to 10 men.

Tahiti, who drew their opening match 2-2 with Solomon Islands, looked to counter but New Zealand had the game under control in the closing stages. Logan Rogerson was subbed for George Debenham in the 80thminute before Myer Bevan capped off a good afternoon. The hat-trick hero from the opening game slotted home a cross from substitute Jake Porter at the back post in the 87th minute.

New Zealand will take huge confidence from the character they showed under pressure to defeat a difficult opponent. They face the Solomon Islands on Saturday at the same venue in their final pool match ahead of the semi-finals next week.

Final Score: Tahiti 1 (Raumatahi Noho 27’) New Zealand 4 (Moses Dyer (pen) 39’, Clayton Lewis 61’, Hunter Ashworth 65’, Myer Bevan 87’) HT 1-1 Luganville Soccer City Stadium in Santo, Vanuatu

New Zealand: 1. Michael Woud (GK), 3. Sean Liddicoat, 5. Hunter Ashworth, 6. Luke Johnson, 7. Logan Rogerson (George Debenham 80’), 8. Moses Dyer, 9. Myer Bevan, 10. Clayton Lewis (C), 11. Sarpreet Singh (15. Lucas Imrie 46’), 13. Charlie Thomas (14. Jake Porter 46’), 18. Reese Cox

Subs not used: 2. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 12. Cameron Brown (GK), 16. Joe Bell

Cautions: Jake Porter