Any update on the situation with the Cook Islands? Have they had to withdraw now because of COVID, similar to Vanuatu?
Interestingly enough, Tahiti is yet to play a game - first game cancelled v Vanuatu, second game cancelled v Cook Islands. That means that if Tahiti loses to the Solomon Islands by 3 goals, the Cook Islands would advance to the Semi-Finals, despite having 0 points and playing only 1 game. Truly an absurd situation, I'm hoping we're in the all clear COVID wise from a NZ perspective.. Would be interesting playing the Cook Islands in the semi-final knowing a large portion of their team tested positive.. what contingencies would we take to ensure we could field a team for the final if the worst case scenario happens.
A lot of hypotheticals, but it's a shambles of a tournament at this stage.
Interestingly enough, Tahiti is yet to play a game - first game cancelled v Vanuatu, second game cancelled v Cook Islands. That means that if Tahiti loses to the Solomon Islands by 3 goals, the Cook Islands would advance to the Semi-Finals, despite having 0 points and playing only 1 game. Truly an absurd situation, I'm hoping we're in the all clear COVID wise from a NZ perspective.. Would be interesting playing the Cook Islands in the semi-final knowing a large portion of their team tested positive.. what contingencies would we take to ensure we could field a team for the final if the worst case scenario happens.
A lot of hypotheticals, but it's a shambles of a tournament at this stage.
Tahitian media reports that Tahiti and Solomons are through and the Cooks are in the same boat as Vanuatu, as in they’re out.
OFC will hope Friday’s match has a winner, because if it doesn’t they’ll have to decide to either play extra time or award Tahiti top on GD on account on having two teams default as opposed to just one. I can’t find anywhere what criteria OFC will apply in case of a draw in that match.
I suppose OFC could just run it as is, given that first or second place is somewhat insignificant, because there is no consolation for second or third, so losing a semi is no different to losing the final.