The day should have belonged to Papua New Guinea after another clinical performance to beat Tonga 2-0, but it was the spirited Samoans who stole the limelight with their come-from-behind victory thanks to hat-trick hero Hazel Peleti.
Samoa and Tonga are now locked on three points with the two Polynesian nations set for a showdown on Monday to determine who will join Papua New Guinea in Wednesday’s final. With a superior goal difference, the hosts will only need a draw to advance.
Vanuatu meanwhile are out of the running after their second straight defeat – a position that looked virtually unimaginable earlier in the day.
Lisa Batick scored a brace for Vanuatu in the first half with strike partner Fina Angelo also getting on the score sheet as they cruised to a 3-1 lead over Samoa at half-time.
Florian Sam’s side missed a host of opportunities to extend their lead before Peleti turned the game on its head with a goal in the 63rd minute to add to her first half strike.
An unfortunate own goal in the 80th minute set up a dramatic climax and it was 17-year-old Peneti who stepped up four minutes later with a brilliant individual effort to round the keeper and sneak the ball in at the near post to seal victory.
Coach Tala Salamasina was understandably emotional after the win, made all the more significant after a four-year hiatus from international competition for Samoa.
“I’m very proud of the team, from the players right through to the management. We’ve worked so hard for this,” said Salamasina.
“At half-time I said to them I don’t care how the goals come, we have to get the win. And with a bit of faith and some outstanding finishing from our young striker we got there in the end.”
In the earlier match it was the technical skills of Papua New Guinea up against the physical prowess of Tonga, which made for an intriguing encounter.
Spurred on by lively fans armed with vuvuzelas, Tonga asserted themselves in the match but couldn’t handle the quick passing game of Papua New Guinea’s midfield led by captain Deslyne Siniu and Daisy Winas.
Zeen Limbai scored straight from a corner on 32 minutes before Siniu doubled thelead shortly after half-time with a powerful drive from just inside the area.
The Papua New Guineans recorded their first clean sheet of the tournament with a tireless defensive effort led by 35-year-old Kathrina Salaiau, while their attack was left wanting according to coach Steven Mune.
“It’s always good to win but we had a couple of chances we didn’t put away. It’s something we’ll have to work on,” said Mune.
“Tonga gave us a good run and it was a tough game. The only reason we are here is to win the tournament and we are confident we will be able to go on and do that now.”
Tonga coach Lui Muavesi says he is keen to have second bite.
“It would be good to meet them again in the final but we will have to win again before we can get there.
“We still have one match to go against Samoa and we now have no option but to win that match because our goal has always been to make the final.”
Samoa and Tonga kick off their crucial encounter at 1:00pm on Monday before Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu meet in an all-Melanesian affair at 3:30pm.
The eventual winner will advance to the Stage 2 home-and-away playoff against New Zealand on 31 March and 4 April.
Tonga vs. Papua New Guinea Match Summary: Download Here
Samoa vs. Vanuatu Match Summary: Download Here
Competition Summary: Download Here
For the match schedule click here