In a minor opening match upset, New Caledonia beat Tahiti 1-0 in Samoa to open the 13th edition of the South Pacific Games, despite having midfielder Hmae sent off in the first half. The victory puts New Caledonia into a good position to qualify for the semifinals if they put up a good result against Fiji and hold form against Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.The Tahitians now have to scramble and show good form against Fiji and put up large goal differentials versus Tuvalu and the Cook Islands in order to avoid elimination.
In the other Group A match, Fiji destroyed Tuvalu 16-0 and sent a message to New Caledonia and Tahiti that they came to win.
In Group B, the Samoan hosts tried to pull off a surprise against Vanuatu, but despite the home field advantage were unable. The surprise of 2006 qualifying, Vanuatu now simply needs a good result against the Solomon Islands as well as victories against lowly American Samoa and Tonga to advance. The final score was Vanuatu 4, Samoa 0.
The Solomon Islands had an average showing against American Samoa, but they still came out with a large amount of goals in a 12-1 victory. Regardless, American Samoa had to be delighted, scoring their first ever goal in World Cup competition.
Goal scorers:
New Caledonia: Wajoka 9 PK
Fiji: Krishna 6, 14, 22; Rabo 11, 34, 45; Baletoga 17; Tiwa 28, 30; Vakatalesau 42, 46, 65, 73, 82, 89; Finau 68
Solomon Islands: Totori 12, 15; Menapi 20 PK, 41, 75, 82; Fa'arodo 43; Waiti 58, 85; Beubeu 69; Molea 77; Takayama 90+2
American Samoa: Ott 55 PK
Vanuatu: Iwai 25; Naprapol 45; Poida 66; Soromon 90+2
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