The New Zealand U-23 men have continued their unbeaten run at the Pacific Games this afternoon in Samoa.

The Des Buckingham coached team, who defeated Tonga and Samoa in their opening two games, drew 0-0 in a tough battle with Vanuatu at the J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Apia to remain top of Group A.  

The Paul Munster coached team fought hard for their chance to remain in the competition. They had a handful of chances to open the scoring but were denied by determined defending and a composed performance in goal from Conor Tracey.

It was another gutsy peformance from the New Zealand U-23 men who have shown they have the quality to compete with senior teams from across Oceania. 

"I think a draw was a fair result," said Buckingham.

"We had a lot of chances in the first half, they probably had the better of the second half but it was very even match. We go back to the fact we are a very young U-23 side and they have just held a full senior team to a 0-0 draw which is a good achievement." 

The draw has likely set up a winner-takes-all clash with Papua New Guinea on Monday. The Bob Morris coached Papua New Guinea have gone through their first two games unbeaten and have New Zealand and Tonga remaining to finish pool play.  

The winner of each Group will advance to the Pacific Games Final, while the second placed teams will play off for the Bronze Medal.

Buckingham made five changes to the team that beat Samoa on Wednesday with Conor Tracey, Jordan Spain, Lachlan McIsaac, Dylan de Jong, and Byron Heath all coming into the starting line-up.

New Zealand looked to continue the flowing play that saw them win their opening two games well but Vanuatu dominated for the most part as they looked to stay in contention for the gold medal. 

Vanuatu had the better of the chances to take the lead. Kensi Tangis and Elkington Molivakarua had the best sights on goal but were stopped well by some staunch defending by Tracey and Sean Liddicoat.

The NZ U-23 men are playing in the Pacific Games to prepare for the OFC U-23 Championship in Fiji in September and October where they will look to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Pacific Games – Group A
New Zealand 0
Vanuatu 0
HT: 0-0

New Zealand: 12. Conor Tracey (GK), 2. Jordan Spain, 3. Sean Liddicoat, 4. Robert Tipelu (15. Ihaia Delaney 51’), 5. Billy Jones, 6. Dane Schnell, 7. Ollie Whyte, 8. Lachlan McIsaac (14. Jorge Akers 85’), 9. Logan Rogerson (c), 18. Dylan de Jong, 19. Byron Heath (10. Seth Clark 46’)
Coach: Des Buckingham

Substitutes not used: 1. Cameron Brown (GK), 13. Jackson Brady, 16. Stafford Dowling, 17. Sean Cooper

Article added: Friday 12 July 2019