Tahiti moved three points clear at the top of their FIFA World Cup qualifying group, after coming from a goal down to beat Papua New Guinea 3-1 in Port Moresby last night.
The hosts were reduced to ten men when David Browne was sent off in the 22nd minute for an elbow to the face of Taumihau Tiatia, but still took the lead when Nigel Dabinyaba headed home at the end of the first half.
PNG's David Browne is sent off in Thursday's World Cup qualifying game against Tahiti. Photo: OFC Media
Sylvain Graglia equalised for Toa Aito just before the hour mark then put Tahiti in front in the 85th minute, blasting the ball into the top corner after a weaving solo run.
An injury time strike from Teaonui Tehau capped a crucial result for the Francophones, who have only one more match to sure up their position atop the Group A standings.
Tahiti celebrate a goal in their 3-1 win over Papua New Guinea. Photo: OFC Media
Coach Ludovic Graugnard said he was confident his side would overturn their half-time deficit but admitted to directing some harsh worded towards the players at half-time.
"The red card I guess was good for us. It was a very good player who plays professionally in Netherlands, so it was a loss for them," he said.
"To be honest at half-time I was incredibly angry with my players. In the second half we regained some confidence, we were patient and eventually we were able to get some goals."
"It was important for us to win today because with victory winning today we will offer the people back home in Tahiti an important match," he said.
"If we win at home we can have greater hope that we might qualify."
Tahiti came from behind to beat Papua New Guinea 3-1 in Port Moresby. Photo: OFC Media
Papua New Guinea coach Flemming Serritslev was proud of the way his side reacted after Browne's sending off but conceded Tahiti were too good in the end.
"I'm satisfied we were able to bring it to 1-0 and I can't blame the players. They fought the best they could," he said.
"I think Tahiti found where we were most vulnerable and capitalised on it. I have to congratulate on their win. It was deserved.
"We start from 0-0 in Papeete and we've shown that we can match them when we are 11 v 11. The attitude was totally ok so now the task it's to raise them mentally again for the next match"
