Fiji’s dream of lifting the OFC Under-16 Men’s Championship ended in disappointment after a dominant New Zealand side claimed a 12th tournament title with a convincing 5-0 victory in the final at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The Junior Bula Boys were outplayed by the defending champions, who completed another unbeaten campaign after scoring 24 goals in five matches throughout the tournament.
New Zealand made the perfect start, taking the lead after just 90 seconds when Zach Cashmore headed home from a corner to score the fastest goal ever recorded in an OFC Under-16 Championship final.
Fiji struggled to contain the attacking pressure and conceded twice more before halftime.
Davi Valles Dos Santos doubled New Zealand’s advantage in the 36th minute after Fiji failed to clear the danger inside the penalty area before an unfortunate own goal by defender Somit Maharaj in first-half stoppage time gave New Zealand a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Despite the scoreline, Fiji showed glimpses of promise in the second half.
Ryan Swami came closest for the Junior Bula Boys, sending a powerful effort over the crossbar from a corner as Fiji searched for a way back into the contest.
However, another defensive mistake proved costly.
Substitute Jack Clegg capitalised on a turnover inside the penalty box to score New Zealand’s fourth goal in the 76th minute, only moments after coming off the bench.
Clegg then turned provider four minutes later, intercepting another loose pass before setting up Valles Dos Santos, who scored his second goal of the match to seal a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
The win secured New Zealand’s 11th consecutive OFC Under-16 Men’s Championship title and their 12th overall, underlining their continued dominance in Oceania youth football.
While Fiji fell short in the final, reaching only its third OFC Under-16 Championship final remains a significant achievement for the young side and secures qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup, alongside champions New Zealand.
