Tahiti Marches Onto Adelaide

Tahiti is the third team through to Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup Qualifiers in Adelaide next week after surviving a nervous final group match against the Solomon Islands.

Tahiti is the third team through to Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup Qualifiers in Adelaide next week after surviving a nervous final group match against the Solomon Islands.   Needing a draw to progress, Tahiti led 1-0 for most of the game, but an equalizing goal by Batrum Suri with 10 minutes to go, ensured a nervous finish for the Tahitians. Tahiti joins the Solomons and Fiji into the next stage.   Simon had given Tahiti the lead on the half hour and managed to keep the hosts at bay, until veteran midfielder Suri leveled it up.   A loss by the Tahitians would have seen New Caledonia progress through on goal difference after they earlier had thrashed Tonga 8-0.   After taking a 3rd minute lead by J Hmae, the New Caledonian-s never looked in trouble and added three further goals before half time. Poatinda scored two of these goals and added a third goal from the penalty spot late in the game to finish the scoring off at 8-0.   However the win didn-t prove enough, with Tahiti getting the point they needed and a trip to Adelaide.   Group 2 will be decided tomorrow, with Vanuatu needing a point in its match with Fiji to progress through to Adelaide. If it fails to get a point, this could allow Papua New Guinea to go ahead of them on goal difference, if it can secure a victory over host Samoa.