Defaults listed against OFC U-19 Championship sides — how it impacts on New Zealand

posted in: News

New Zealand’s potential quarter-final opponents appear to have been listed as 3-0 losers by default in their opening games at the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti.

Though no statement has yet been made public by the Oceania Football Confederation, the official website for the tournament shows 3-0 losses for Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Both teams said they were “unable to play” their opening group games against Fiji and New Caledonia, and no further explanations have been made.

Click here for earlier story >>>>

The apparent decision to treat the fixtures as defaults means both countries are third in their groups.

If New Zealand wins their Group A, they’ll face the best-performing third-placed team from either Group B or Group C in the quarter-finals.

If New Zealand finishes runners-up in Group B, they’ll play the team that tops Group C.

READ MORE: Preview of New Zealand’s match against American Samoa on Sunday >>>>

READ MORE: New Zealand hammers Cook Islands 8-0 in tournament opener >>>>

Main photo: Stade Fautaua in Tahiti is hosting all the tournament games.

Standings

Group A

Group B

Group C

The draw

The group winners and runners-up from each group will progress to the quarter-final stage, as well as the two highest-ranked third-placed teams.

Quarterfinals 

Q1: Winner Group A v Best performed 3rd team from B/C

Q2: Winner Group B v Best performed 3rd team from A/C

Q3: Winner Group C v Runners-up Group A

Q4: Runners-up Group B v Runners-up Group C

Semi-finals

Winners Q1 v Winners Q2

Winners Q3 v Winners Q4

About the OFC U-19 Championship

New Zealand have won the championship at seven of the 22 previous tournaments.

New Zealand are the current title holders, having won in 2018, the last time the championship was held.

More football stories