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Narrow win gives New Zealand advantage

APIA, Samoa – January 19, 2015 - New Zealand notched up their fourth win at the OFC U-17 Championship today but it wasn’t an easy one as New Caledonia pushed them to the limits in their thrilling 5-4 victory.Meanwhile, Fiji finally put themselves on the right side of a victory with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Cook Islands while Papua New Guinea had to rely on some second half heroics to earn their 5-0 victory over Samoa in the final Match Day 7 encounter.New Zealand were given an early fright by their Caledonian opponents who sought an early goal, pressing high on the Kiwi’s backline and in particular keeper Michael Woud. After several close shaves at either end it was the New Caledonians who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute courtesy of a stunning Joseph Hnagone strike.But true to form New Zealand stayed calm and in control, hitting back immediately as Logan Rogerson capitalised on a defender’s failure to clear. In the 18th minute he had his brace as a short corner was then played past two defenders before the striker finished beautifully.When substitute Etienne Poanoui was dropped in the box by a clumsy challenge, New Caledonia had another penalty. Kenon was once again called on and for the third time whipped his effort past Woud, but it was the first time it added to their tally. Both sides had a couple more decent chances as the clock ticked down but it was clearly New Zealand’s day as they led 5-4 at the final whistle.The final encounter saw Group A hosts Samoa taking on Papua New Guinea. Samoa were still riding high from their historic win on Saturday, while their opponents were coming in with a point to prove after their 3-0 loss to the Kiwis.From the outset the visitors dominated with driving runs into the box forcing the defenders to remain in a state of constant vigilance to try and cut them short before they reached the penalty area. A tough task that Samoa appeared up to, with some dangerous counter attacks of their being launched on occasion. Some excellent work from Bronson Lotu-i’iga in particular really kept his side in the game, holding the Papua New Guineans at bay to go into the break locked at 0-0.A sub from either side in the 58th minute proved the interruption Papua New Guinea needed as Taase Hunt left his goal open as he came out to clear, allowing Oswald Bade to fire into an empty net. Less than five minutes had passed when Brendon Kambula was knocking the ball in.Samoa did well to keep Papua New Guinea at bay, but clearly tiring the side wasn’t able to stem the flow for the full 90 minutes. Taase Hunt made a great save to deny Stahl Gubag but couldn’t do it twice as the latter fired home in the 87th minute. Oswald Bade ran one past Hunt next, just three minutes later, and on the 90 minute mark sealed the match courtesy of Freddy Tupani after Hunt again left his goal open for the taking.Papua New Guinea assistant coach Hans Gewebing says it was a tough encounter that required a greater level of concentration than they employed in the first half.“It was tough and we had to really ask the boys to dig deep and hopefully score in the second half. In the first half they broke the line of defence but couldn’t find the target so we had to really dig deep and find the target in the second half and it paid off.“Having gone up 5-0 in the second half was awesome.”It was an incredibly disappointing result after a heartening performance from Desmond Faai’uaso’s side.Group B continue their football fun in Pago Pago, American Samoa for Match Day 8 before we come back to Apia, Samoa for the final day of Group A action at J.S. Blatter Football Complex.