You feel the 3 best teams - NZ, New Caledonia & host Solomons could all be in the same pool.
NC beat Solomons 5-2 in their first pool game. SI are often strong at this U16/U17 level. They thrashed NZ 5-0 a few years back in a pool game, Raphael Le'ai running riot.
Things a bit dicey now, after that 0-0 draw. Solomons beat Samoa 4-0 today in the other result.
Presuming NC (4 pts) get an easy win over Samoa, then it's straight out battle between NZ (4 pts) & SI (3 pts) for the 2nd spot in the semis. NZ need to avoid a loss.
But playing a desperate Solomons in the awful heat & humidity, in front of their passionate fans ain't going to be easy.
After this U16 cohort doing so well at that tourney in Switzerland earlier this year, missing out on going to the U17WC next year, ain't that fanciful. Martin Bullock will be a nervous chap the next few days.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-caledonia-hold-defending-champions-new-zealand-to-a-draw-in-honiara/
NC beat Solomons 5-2 in their first pool game. SI are often strong at this U16/U17 level. They thrashed NZ 5-0 a few years back in a pool game, Raphael Le'ai running riot.
Things a bit dicey now, after that 0-0 draw. Solomons beat Samoa 4-0 today in the other result.
Presuming NC (4 pts) get an easy win over Samoa, then it's straight out battle between NZ (4 pts) & SI (3 pts) for the 2nd spot in the semis. NZ need to avoid a loss.
But playing a desperate Solomons in the awful heat & humidity, in front of their passionate fans ain't going to be easy.
After this U16 cohort doing so well at that tourney in Switzerland earlier this year, missing out on going to the U17WC next year, ain't that fanciful. Martin Bullock will be a nervous chap the next few days.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-caledonia-hold-defending-champions-new-zealand-to-a-draw-in-honiara/