The Olywhites have earned a place in the semi-finals of the Olympic qualifiers in Port Moresby after securing a tough 1-0 win over hosts Papua New Guinea in their second group match in Port Moresby yesterday.
Striker Monty Patterson scored his second goal in as many games at Bisini Field,putting the Men's U-23s ahead on the hour mark after connecting with a long throw into the Papua New Guinea area.
Patterson's goal, along with New Caledonia's 1-0 win over the Solomon Islands in the earlier Group B clash on Sunday, ensured Anthony Hudson's side progressed to the semi-finals ahead of Tuesday's final pool match against New Caledonia at 4pm (NZ time).
The Olywhites will face either Vanuatu or Fiji in the semi-finals as they are the only teams in Group A eligible to progress. Tahiti isn't an Olympic member and the Federated States of Micronesia isn't a FIFA member. To play in the Olympics a country has to belong to both groups.
The Pacific Games has two sets of semi-finals, one for Olympic Games qualifying, another to determine the Pacific Games champion.
