Football: Shootout sends U-17s to Chile

The New Zealand Men's U-17 side secured a berth at the FIFA U-17 World Cup yesterday. Photo / Thinkstock.

The New Zealand Men's U-17 side secured a berth at the FIFA U-17 World Cup yesterday with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Tahiti in the final of the Oceania Football U-17 Championship in American Samoa.

After the game finished tied at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes at the Pago Park Soccer Stadium, the shootout was required to separate the sides and Michael Woud's save of the first Tahitian spot kick proved the difference as the New Zealand side won 5-4.

Earlier, Logan Rogerson's 60th minute goal - his 11th of the tournament - had given the New Zealand side the lead before Connor Probert missed a penalty four minutes later.

With nine minutes to go Tahiti's Honoarii Kohumoetini levelled the scores and spot kicks were required to find the Oceania representative at the U-17 showcase tournament in Chile in October.

Woud saved Michel Maihi's first attempt for Tahiti and Louie Mills, Billy Jones, Oliver Ceci, Ben Mata and Probert all converted their penalties to send New Zealand to their fifth consecutive U-17 World Cup event.

Speaking after the game coach Jose Figueira said with what was at stake, Tuesday's match was a tremendously intense affair which he felt his side deserved to take out.

"[There are] probably no nerves left actually," Figueira said, "it was an unbelievable game, a roller coaster game.

"But ultimately we got the win that our performance probably deserved.

"I think that shows the character of the boys under an immense amount of pressure. We kept our nerve, slotted all five penalties and we're thankful that Michael came up with a big save first of all."

Having spent the best part of three weeks away from home, Figueira said the tournament victory has come on the back of contributions from everyone involved.

"Credit has to go to all the players in the squad, the staff and the work everyone has put in to keep the boys healthy, focussed and on task has been phenomenal.

"And they proved it on the pitch, all the way to the final game where times were tough and they battled through."

Tuesday's game was played in heavy rain but Figueira said the New Zealand side maintained their focus on executing their playing philosophy despite the conditions and the pressure of the situation.

"We were kind of joking at first about how we were glad it was overcast and then there was a little bit of rain and the rain turned into a full on monsoon for the majority of the game," Figueira said.

"That obviously kind of impeded the way we wanted to play a little bit but the boys were brave and we kept playing the way we wanted to play.

[They showed] unbelievable bravery and it was team effort from the boys. I'm lost for words really."