19 Mar 2012

Sport: Fiji, Vanuatu and PNG into Oceania U23 football semis

11:18 am on 19 March 2012

Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu have all booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Oceania Men's Olympic football qualifiers

Papua New Guinea beat Tonga 3-0 in Group B while Fiji thumped American Samoa 7-1 for their second straight win.

In the final match on Sunday Vanuatu edged Solomon Islands 1-0 to join Fiji at the top of Group A.

Vanuatu coach Richard Iwai praised his team's defence.

"I've been telling the boys because the Solomon boys they're going to pressure in the first half because they need to win. I've been telling the boys just to come but the pressure of the game it took them hard to readjust and come back with their game."

New Zealand need a win or a draw in their final game against Tonga to advance.

Tonga could also join Papua New Guinea in the final four if they win by at least two goals.