Internet Desk: New Caledonia and New Zealand will represent Oceania at the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 after the pair won their respective semi-finals at the OFC U-17 Championship in Tahiti.
It was a history-making occasion in French Polynesia for New Caledonia who are into their first FIFA tournament. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be featuring in their sixth successive U-17 World Cup.
In sync with their contrasting historical records, the pair qualified for India 2017 in equally thrilling fashion.
New Caledonia qualified with a 3-2 win over Solomon Islands, though it was a match they led for long periods. The Solomons equalised on the hour mark to cancel out a first-half opener, but New Caledonia quickly scored twice in quick succession to put their stamp on the contest.
New Zealand had far more trouble in the latter match requiring a dramatic 93rd minute winner from Oliver Whyte to overcome an unlucky PNG, after the two teams had exchanged first-half goals.
Talking about the teams sealing their place in the event, Tournament Director of the LOC, Javier Ceppi said, “The qualification of New Zealand and New Caledonia brings the ratified countries to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 to 7, which is almost 30% of the nations that will participate on our Event, and it is something that we are ecstatic about. As debutants, we are really looking forward to host New Caledonia on their first FIFA World Cup experience and we hope for all the best for them and also New Zealand when they come to India in October.”
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be played in India across 6 venues from October 6-28 later this year.