Tahiti prove too strong for Sāmoa in World Cup qualifier

Sāmoa men’s soccer team have suffered a significant setback in their attempts to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.

The Oceania's 8th-ranked Sāmoans faced 6th-ranked Tahiti in their Group B qualifier at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Friday.

The Sāmoans try and stop a free kick in a rain-drenched World Cup qualifier against Tahiti on Friday. Photo/supplied

Despite the wet weather, Tahiti showed experience and skill to win 3-0.

The French Polynesians struck twice in the second half in Kirikiriroa to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers alive.

Both teams had lost their opening matches in Port Vila in October, so they knew that anything less than a win in round two would end their World Cup campaign.

A rain-soaked pitch limited the action early in the game as players struggled to hold on to possession.

New Caledonia 3-2 Solomon Islands. Photo/OFC Media/Trevor Mallen

Sāmoa coach Jess Ibrom was forced to make a change in the opening 20 minutes after midfielder Faita Hamilton-Pama was injured.

The first real moment of the match came just halfway through the first period - goalie Pele Fatu tipping the ball over the bar to deny Tahiti captain Teaonui Tehau’s header, following a delightful cross from Manuarii Shan.

The departure of Hamilton-Pama saw Tahiti start to control the middle of the park.

Roonui Tehau did not waste the opportunity, shooting towards the goal with lots of space at the top of the box, bringing Fatu into action again.

The heavy rain left parts of the pitch waterlogged, making it difficult for both teams to play in certain areas. This made the aerial game fully effective.

Eddy Kaspard broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, leaping above his defender to steer a powerful header past Fatu into the bottom corner of the net.

Tahiti had a two-goal advantage. Fatu spilled a low cross from Tehotu Gitton, his first fundamental mistake of the game, as striker Benoit Mathon tapped the ball home from close range.

Unlike the weather, Tahiti continued to bring the heat. A swift run from Kaspard down the right flank ended with a perfect delivery to captain Tehau, who sealed the victory with a clinical finish.

The win for Tahiti sets up a must-win clash against Vanuatu in Auckland on Monday, while Samoa's hopes of advancing to the semi-finals are over.

In other results, the New Zealand All Whites' first-ever match in Hamilton ended on a high note with a dominant 8-1 win against Vanuatu on Friday.

Papua New Guinea 3-3 Fiji. Photo/OFC Media/Trevor Mallen

The Kiwis have booked their semis spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers semi-finals in March.

New Caledonia have one foot in the semi-finals after an impressive come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Solomon Islands at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Thursday.

Having lost their opening Group A match in Suva last month to Fiji, Josh Smith’s side knew anything less than a win on Thursday would leave them with a mountain to climb in their bid for a semi-final place.

Papua New Guinea’s first men’s international on home soil yielded an exciting 3-3 draw with Fiji on Thursday to keep both teams in the hunt for a semi-final place.

Australia is the top-ranked Oceania team, sitting at 24th place on the FIFA world rankings, with NZ (91), Fiji (146), Solomons (147), New Caledonia (155), Vanuatu (157), Tahiti (159), PNG (171), Sāmoa (186), American Sāmoa (189), Cook Islands (191, Timor Leste (196), Tonga (199), and Guam (204).

Sāmoa men’s soccer team at their jersey presentation ahead of their match against Tahiti. Photo/Football Federation Samoa

Ibrom told PMN Sāmoa that there was belief and the “Samoan Spirit” ahead of the game.

‘’I think we'll have to tap into our Sāmoan strength, which is our Sāmoan spirit, and just being very, very strong and competitive.

"I've always looked from afar at all the sports teams in Sāmoa and seen that.’’

The side earlier faced the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea.

The young and enthusiastic Sāmoans were under no illusions about how big this game was and were excited to take on Tahiti.

‘’No one expects anything for us, certainly against New Zealand. And people probably think we're going to get beat against Tahiti as well.

Head coach Jess Ibrom with special guest Ruby Tui during the team jersey presentation. Photo/ Football Federation Samoa Facebook.

“But, you know, we've got a very strong belief in this group, and then we'll be going all out to really, really represent the country with great pride and honour and, you know, doing everything we can to get a result.’’

To indicate how important and monumental Friday’s game was, Coach Ibrom said, ‘’This is the furthest Sāmoa has gone in terms of its World Cup qualification”.

He said the team was in good spirits.

Ibrom is calling on the Sāmoan community to support the team as they try to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

‘’It's just going to be a great experience for all the players. So we truly hope that people come out and support us because we'll be trying our best to make sure we represent the country as best as we can.

“And we're really, really looking forward to it. Really looking forward to pulling on that national jersey for the country.’’

Watch Coach Jess Ibrom’s full Interview below.