Vanuatu Come From Two Goals Down To Secure Draw With Tonga

The hosts had suffered defeat at the hands of Papua New Guinea on match day one, whilst Vanuatu rallied late on against American Samoa to salvage a 2-2 draw.

It was the home side that took a crucial lead. Siaki Lonitenisi’s effort from range was arrowing wide of the target before the intervention of Sioeli Veatupu, who stuck out a foot to prod the ball home past Vanuatu goalkeeper Selwyn Kaltanak.

Lonitenisi added to his assist with a goal of his own just past the half hour mark. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, his fierce strike flew past Kaltanak, as Tonga capitalised on their territorial dominance.

Vanuatu lifted their performance in the second-half but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession could not convert it into goal scoring opportunities, with Tongan goalkeeper Gordon Li largely untroubled.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was from a set piece that Vanuatu found a way back into the game. Nelson Tawia excellently controlling a crossed free-kick before firing high into the net to give his side a lifeline.

That lifeline would be capitalised on in the final ten minutes. Substitute Wycliff Iarel arriving late at the back post to convert a deep cross from feel sub Alexis Lolten and draw his side level.

It finished 2-2, meaning Papua New Guinea’s qualification is confirmed, with their six points unassailable on the final match day.

Tonga: 2 (Sioeli VEATUPU 22, Siaki LONITENISI 31)
Vanuatu: 2 (Nelson TAWIA 71, Wycliff IAREL 83)

HT: 2-0

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