Photo Credit: Yasser Bakhsh – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Vanuatu conceded deep into stoppage time as they lost 3-2 to Brunei in their final match at the FIFA Series in Saudi Arabia.
Having suffered a heavy defeat to Guinea in their opening match of the international friendly competition, the Oceania side were keen to bounce back and did just that, taking a 38th minute lead through Bong Kalo – a lead that they took into the half-time interval.
Just seven minutes into the second-half and Brunei found their equaliser, though parity wouldn’t last long, as Vanuatu re-established their lead just 18 minutes later in a back-and-forth encounter.
A second leveller came just two minutes later on the 72nd mark, before the latest of late goals gave Brunei a dramatic late win, despite Vanuatu’s defensive resolve.
Vanuatu: 2
Bruinei: 3
HT: 1-0
In Cairo, New Zealand ended their FIFA Series campaign with a penalty shootout loss to Tunisia.
A tight 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their first match meant the Kiwis would face the African side in a Playoff for 3rd place at the Cairo International Stadium.
New Zealand had a wonderful opportunity to win the match in the 90 minutes but Sarpreet Singh’s penalty was well saved by Bechir Ben Said. The All White were initially awarded a second penalty later on but a VAR review reversed the referee’s decision.
Late red cards for Tunisia’s Elias Achouri and the Kiwis’ Liberato Cacace brought the curtain down on regulation time before penalties determined a winner.
Ben Waine missed New Zealand’s first attempt and after a second miss from Elijah Just, the Africans were in control. The crucial spot kick fell to Alaa Ghram and the substitute made no mistake to clinch victory for his side.
New Zealand: 0 (2)
Tunisia: 0 (4)