OFC Nations Cup semi to go ahead despite Port Moresby shootings

The All Whites crunch semifinal match of the OFC Nations Cup in Port Moresby will go ahead as planned despite the shooting of students by police in the city today.

The Oceania Football Confederation said in a statement they have decided to play the two semifinals in Papua New Guinea's capital as scheduled this evening after receiving advice from its security consultant.

Police shot students protesting against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Some media are reporting four people have been killed and 13 injured.

However, Neville Choi from local news site EMTV has been told by Port Moresby hospital that no one has died but nine people are injured.

The students had been marching from the university campus to parliament, to demand Prime Minister Peter O'Neill who quit over corruption allegations.

New Zealand Football spokesman Peter Thornton said the shootings were a "pretty awful situation".

"The team was aware that OFC was managing it, it sounds like the OFC hotel was close to it all."

Mr Thornton said as far as he was aware it was "situation as normal", and he hadn't been told of any increased security measures for the team.

They face New Caledonia at 6pm tonight NZ time, with the winner progressing to the final and a chance to qualify for the Confederations Cup. The hosts will play Solomon Islands in the other semifinal at 9.30pm NZ time.