OFC U-17 Championship 2009

The New Zealand team line up at FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 – Nigeria v New Zealand – Round of 16 – National Stadium (Photo Credit: Action Images / Scott Heavey)

The thirteenth edition of the OFC U-17 Championship took place in 2009 and doubled as qualification for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in Nigeria. The tournament was held in Auckland, New Zealand and contested between four nations.

After both recording two wins in their first two matches, Tahiti sat top of the table courtesy of superior goal difference with New Zealand second, meaning it would come down to the final match between the two sides. Goals from Zane Sole and Andrew Milne earned New Zealand a 2-0 victory and secured them a second consecutive and third OFC U-17 Championship title.

Jamie DORIS – New Zealand in action against Nigeria at FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 – Nigeria v New Zealand – Round of 16 (Photo Credit: Action Images / Scott Heavey)

After drawing all three of their Group D matches against Costa Rica, Burkina Faso and Turkey, New Zealand became the second OFC nation to qualify for the knockout stages of a FIFA U-17 World Cup™.

They progressed through to the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams at the 2009 tournament in Nigeria. Despite a valiant effort, New Zealand suffered a 5-0 defeat against eventual runners-up and hosts Nigeria.