Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
Samoa have ended their campaign at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tahiti on a high with a 2-1 win over Cook Islands in the Playoff for 5th place.
Most of the goalmouth action happened in the first ten minutes as Samoa made use of a strong wind at their backs at Papeete’s Stade Fautaua.
In the 6th minute a long ball was played through to Bevan Jr Kapisi, who chested down superbly and in one swift movement planted the ball into the back of the net.
The Cook Islands barely had time to catch their breath before they were two goals down.
Kapisi had his second, getting in behind the defence to latch on to a cross and tap past Tom Tetini in the Cook Islands goal from the six-yard box in the 8th minute.
Shell shocked from their horror start, the Cook Islands gathered themselves and slowly worked their way into the game.
They created their first real chance in the 40th minute when captain Temata Rouru’s free-kick rattled off the crossbar.
Just before the break Samoa’s Micah Fa’afiu attempted to latch onto a cross in a dangerous position, but his shot sliced wide of the goal, and it remained 2-0 at the break.
Playing into the breeze in the second half the Samoans adopted a more defensive mindset, and the Cook Islanders enjoyed most of the possession with Samoa content to try to catch them on the break.
It was Fa’afiu who had a good chance for Samoa to put the game to bed, but he pulled his shot wide in the 67th minute and late on substitute Suia Kelemeni Adam found himself open inside the box but fired straight at the keeper.
Cook Islands gave themselves a glimmer of hope late on, when Tahitoa Webb converted from the penalty spot but Samoa held on to secure a deserved 5th place finish.
Cook Islands: 1 (Tahitoa WEBB (P) 90+2′)
Samoa: 2 (Bevan JR KAPISI 6’, 8’)
HT: 0-2