Tahiti on track for Oceania World Cup qualifying group final after win over PNG – Stuff.co.nz

Last updated21:48, March 23 2017

Peter Meecham / Phototek.nz

PNG striker Nigel Dabingyaba's (R) goal could not prevent Tahiti from winning 3-1 in Port Moresby. Dabingyaba is pictured playing for Canterbury United.

Tahiti opened their World Cup Oceania qualifying group stage three campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over10-manPapua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

The home side opened the score in injury time at the end of the first half on Thursdaythrough striker NigelDabingyaba.

The 24-year-old,who had two games for Canterbury United in the Stirling Sport Premiership this season before signing forMalaysian League club Penang, looped a long-range header over goalkeeper MiakelRoche from AlwinKomolong's freekick.

But goals to midfielderSylvain Graglia in the 59th and 85th minutes gave Tahiti a 2-1 lead before Teaonui Tehau added the third goal in the third minute of added time.

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Tahiti host PNG in the second leg in Papeete on Tuesday.

They are now well placed to meet the winner of the series between New Zealand and Fiji in the Oceania group final.

The All Whites play Fiji in Lautoka on Saturday before a second leg re-match in Wellington next Tuesday.

Both Tahiti and PNG were without key players for the Port Moresby match with PNG missing skipper David Muta and goalscoring striker Raymond Gunembaand Tahiti deprived of brothers Jonathan and Lorenzo Tehau.

PNG suffered a major blow midway through the first half with forwardDavid Browne sent off on debut for an off-the-ball incident, but theystill went ahead through Dabingyaba'sheader.

Graglia drew Tahitilevel by converting from near the penalty spot, following a fine run down the left by the lively Teaonui Tehau.

PNG pushed forward at every opportunity despite the numerical disadvantage.

However, the home side's resistance was finally broken five minutes from fulltime as Graglia converted with a perfect strike inside the near-post following a lightening counter-attack.

Tehau added insurance with a comfortable back-post finish.

PNG goalkeeper Ronald Warisanwas forced off in the final minute with a serious-looking leg injury.

-Stuff

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Tahiti on track for Oceania World Cup qualifying group final after win over PNG - Stuff.co.nz