In the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Oceania qualifier, Solomon Islands reversed and won 3–2 against Papua New Guinea, while New Zealand outperformed Tahiti 1–0. The two winners will compete in the final of the Qatari mini-tournament, which bets on the intercontinental qualifier.
Oceania – World Cup Qualifying || Game Finished: Solomon Islands 3 (Alwin Hou x2, Raphael Le’ai) Papua New Guinea 2 (Alwin Komolong, Ati Kepo). Solomon Islands qualifies for the final of the playoff classification, expects a rival in the game between New Zealand and Tahiti. pic.twitter.com/vTlJGTumcE
— locoxelfutbolGT (@LocoxelFutbol_) March 27, 2022
Due to a non-conscious free-kick combination, he was considered less likely Papua New Guinea gained leadership in the middle of the half.
Perhaps the Solomonians trusted that up to three goals in the previous match miraculous, Raphael Lea’i with the help of them they can even out or even reverse the match, so a good number of balls arrived towards the 18-year-old attacker. He was quick to take the lead, especially 40 minutes in when Micah Lea’alafa came up alone against Andrzej Szymanski who managed a block.
Lea’i was later successful, but the hero is not him, but also in the futsal team Alwin Hou was the one who equalized from a shot in the first half and then took the lead. Unfortunately, there was no chance to triple, as four minutes after his second hit he suffered such a severe injury that he had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
Although Papua New Guinea scored a goal in the hair, the equalizer no longer came to him, 3–2. After the blow-off, we witnessed a touching scene: members of the winning team sang hugging on the field.
Pretty cool scene post match at the OFC semifinals where Solomon Islands team huddle together and sing. pic.twitter.com/sU8X3i4qlF
— Can We and Why Not (@HerculesTurkey) March 27, 2022
He has participated in two world championships so far (1982, 2010) New Zealand contrary to expectations, it was lean, with a success of 1-0 Tahiti against the evening match. The only goal of the meeting was the defender of Empoli, Released Cacace scored in the 70th minute, in a turmoil in front of the goal. THE GOAL HERE!
FT New Zealand 1 Tahiti 0. New Zealand are in the final. #WCQ2022 #NZLTAH #OceaniaQualifiers pic.twitter.com/zSCDClmrcs
— Football24/7 (@Foet247Oceania) March 27, 2022
Thus, Solomon Islands will compete in the final of the Qatari mini-tournament with New Zealand, whose winner will play an intercontinental substitute qualifier with fourth place in the CONCACAF zone qualifier in June (Costa Rica currently ranks 4th, 19 points ahead of Panama) – already in that match. World Cup quota will be at stake.
OCEANIA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER (QATAR)
1. RUN
FINAL
Solomon Islands – Papua New Guinea 3–2 (Hou 33., 65., Lea’i 71., ill. Komolong 24., Kepo 88.)
New Zealand-Tahiti 1-0 (Cacaca 70.)
FINALS
MARCH 30
19.00: Solomon Islands – New Zealand
–
