New Caledonia, New Zealand qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup in India

It was a history-making occasion in French Polynesia for New Caledonia which is into its first FIFA tournament. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be featuring in its sixth successive U-17 World Cup.

New Caledonia qualified with a 3-2 win over Solomon Islands.

New Caledonia and New Zealand have won the rights to 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 on Tuesday.

It was a history-making occasion in French Polynesia for New Caledonia which is into its first FIFA tournament. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be featuring in its sixth successive U-17 World Cup.

Despite the respective historical records, the pair qualified for India 2017 in contrasting fashion.

New Caledonia qualified with a 3-2 win over Solomon Islands, though it was a match the team 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 its 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.