29 Jan 2015

NZ qualify for under-17 World Cup

11:12 am on 29 January 2015

The New Zealand men have qualified for the under-17 football World Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout win over Tahiti in the final of the Oceania Championship in American Samoa.

After the game finished tied at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes the shootout was needed to decide the match.

New Zealand take on Samoa at the Oceania Under 17 Football Championship.

NZ have qualified for the under-17 World Cup. Photo: OFC Media

New Zealand goalkeeper Michael Woud saved the first Tahitian spot kick which 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 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 under-17 World Cup event.