Solomon Islands and New Zealand are two wins away from a spot in the FIFA World Cup after advancing to the final of the Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar.
Alwin Hou celebrates a goal against Papua New Guinea. Photo: OFC Media
Solomon Islands came from behind to beat Papua New Guinea 3-2 in the first semi-final in Doha, before the All Whites edged Tahiti 1-0 in the late game.
PNG skipper Alwin Komolong opened the scoring against Solomon Islands but also gave away a first half penalty which was not converted.
A goal in either half from Bonitos midfielder Alwin Hou and an emphatic finish from teenage star Raphael Lea'i, who bagged a hat-trick in their previous match, ensured the Bonitos advanced to the OFC qualifying final for the second time in succession.
Ati Kepo pulled a goal back for the Kapuls in the 88th minute to ensure a tense finish, but Kapuls forwards Tommy Semmy and Raymond Gunemba failed to take their chances to send the game to extra time.
Solomon Islands midfielder Atkin Kaua said thanked their supporters back home and said the team was "very excited" to be through to the final.
"We needed to stick to our gameplan for the next few days and for the final."
Meanwhile All Whites defender Liberato Cacace pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 70th minute, following a goal-mouth scramble, to break the deadlock in a niggly affair against Tahiti.
Libby Cacace celebrates his goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand coach Danny Hay conceded it wasn't their best performance, but never doubted they would win.
"We could have been more clinical. We had a number of opportunities, particularly at the back end of the first half and again a number in the second half," he said.
"We put ourselves under pressure by not being clinical."
Both New Zealand and Solomon Islands have a perfect record going into the OFC final in three days time, with the All Whites winning all four of their matches and the Bonitos three from three, after one of their group matches was abandonded.
New Zealand prevailed 8-3 on aggregate when the countries last met five years ago, in the final stage of OFC qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
