Monday, June 18, 2012

2012 OFC Nations Cup: Group A Review

The 2012 OFC Nations Cup, held in the Solomon Islands, doubled as the second round of OFC World Cup qualifying. The tournament consisted of eight teams, placed in two groups of four. The top two teams in each group advance to the third round of qualifying. In the third round of qualifying, the four remaining teams will play each other home and away.

The semifinals and final of the Nations Cup have no affect on World Cup qualifying, but the winner of the tournament gets OFC's spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Here are the results and highlights from the group A matches.

 Tahiti 10 Samoa 1

Tahiti opened the tournament with the Tehau family show. Lorenzo Tehau ran the show, scoring four goals in the rout while twin brother Alivn tallied twice, other brother Jonathan also had a brace and cousin Teaonui also had one. Rounding out the scoring for the 2009 U-20 World Cup participant was Steevy Chong Hue. Samoa's lone goal was scored by Silao Malo.



New Caledonia 5 Vanuatu 2

Bertrand Kai's hat-trick propelled New Caledonia to a three goal victory over Vanuatu. Kai gave his side a first half advantage, but Vanuatu equalized early in the second half through Robert Tasso. Kai restored New Caledonia's lead a few minutes later only for Vanuatu to peg back again in the 61st with a goal from Jean Nako Naprapol. Georges Gope-Fenepej had the game-winner in the 66th while Kai completed his hat-trick and Roy Kayara also scored.


Vanuatu 5 Samoa 0

Vanuatu bounced back from its opening match defeat by breezing by lowly Samoa 5-0. Vanuatu had five different goal scorers including another goal by Jean Nako Naprapol to open the side's account in the 29th minute. Right before the break Brian Kaltack doubled Vanuatu's advantage. Derek Malas made it 3-0 on the other side of halftime. Robert Tasso had his second of the tournament and Freddy Vava added the fifth in injury time.


Tahiti 4 New Caledonia 3

Tahiti clung on for a 4-3 triumph in a wild match that saw New Caledonia go down to nine men. Alvin Tehau struck first in the 19th while the sides both had 11. After New Caledonia went down to 10, Tahiti won a penalty, which Nicolas Vallar deposited home. Lorenzo Tehau gave Tahiti a three-goal lead as the teams headed into the half. After going down to nine, New Caledonia had a furious rally cutting the deficit to 3-2 after goals by Marius Bako and Jacques Haeko. Tahiti restored its two goal advantage in the 86th, Roihau Degage slotted one home, but New Caledonia made sure of a tense finish when Dick Kauma struck in the 89th minute. However, Tahiti hung on to clinch progress to the semifinals of the tournament and the third round of qualifying.


New Caledonia 9 Samoa 0

New Caledonia joined Tahiti in the next round by ripping Samoa 9-0. Jacques Haeko was the star of this match, scoring five goals. Roy Kayara, Iamel Kabeu, Judikael Ixoee and Kalaje Gnipate were the other goalscorers for New Caledonia as Samoa went out of the tournament meekly.


Tahiti 4 Vanuatu 1

Tahiti completed a perfect group stage in the tournament by eliminating any slim hope Vanuatu had of advancing with a 4-1 win. The Tehau family was at it again, Jonathon, Alvin and Teaonui all scored once and Nicolas Vallar also struck. Robert Tasso had the lone goal of the match for Vanuatu, which was his third of the tournament.


Final Standings

1. Tahiti 9 points +13 Goal Difference
2. New Caledonia 6 points +11
3. Vanuatu 3 points -1
4. Samoa 0 points -23

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