New Zealand have begun the defence of their OFC Under 19 Championship title in winning fashion, edging hosts Tahiti 2-1 at Stade Pater in Papeete.
Max Mata opened the scoring from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half, after the home side were ruled to have handled the ball inside their box.
Max Mata opened the scoring for New Zealand. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Seven minutes later Charles Spragg doubled their lead following a goal-line scramble from a corner.
Eddy Kaspard got Tahiti on the scoresheet a few minutes later with a bullet from the top of the box but the visitors held on for a crucial victory.
New Zealand coach Des Buckingham was pleased to get an opening win under his belt.
"They're very organised and were very unfortunate not to get something out of the game but very prepared by us also, and I think we deserved to win," he said.
"I think a lot of people look past the first game and look further forward but the first game is important for us. We knew we were taking on the host, we knew the prep that had gone in for those guys and we hadn't looked past that."
Tahiti captain Roonui Tehau is surrounded by the New Zealand defence. Photo: OFC via Phototek
In the earlier match in Group A, Papua New Guinea recovered from a nervy start to overwhelm newcomers Tonga 4-0.
The Melanesian side initially struggled to adapt to Tonga's high pressing on defence but after growing into the game Jonathan Allen put them in front with a vital goal in first half stoppage time.
Barthy Kerobin doubled their advantage midway through the second spell before super-sub Abraham Allen added two of his own off the bench.
Jonathan Allen gave PNG the lead. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Coach Harrison Kamake was pleased with how his players stuck to their task.
"I would say we were a bit nervous during the first-half," he said.
"The instruction was just to stick to the plan, carry out what we were supposed to do and we started to pick up in the second half. They were nervous and we had to fix that up in the second half."
Group B to kick off
Solomon Islands believe a winning start is crucial to their chances in the OFC Under 19 Football Championship.
The squad have spent the past three months preparing together in Honiara and kick off their campaign this afternoon against New Caledonia.
Coach Batram Suri's said his team, which included a handful of returning players from two years ago, was ready to get under-way.
"We are confident in this competition but I told the boys the first game is always important to start building us up for the knockout stage," he said.
Solomon Islands Under 19 Men's coach Batram Suri. Photo: OFC Media
"Looking at our group we've got the heavyweights in the Melanesian brothers (Vanuatu and Fiji) and we are looking for the first game.
"I think we can play against New Caledonia. It's not easy for us when we play against New Caledonia - we always challenge each other very well.
"As long as we win the first game we will have confidence and the boys in the camp do have confidence in us and we are also disciplined well for the first game."
Vanuatu face Fiji in today's other Group B clash, with the top two teams overall to represent Oceania at next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.