The OFC Olympic Qualifiers was surely a very intense competition that spotlighted the most entertaining young prospects of the Oceania region. Some were not so known of the public, another ones already capped at their senior national teams battled for a spot at Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ Football Tournament.
The grand final match that decided the winner of the spot in the Olympics was last 5th October when New Zealand sealed their favouritism after beating Solomon Islands. The competition that was entirely held in Fiji – at ANZ Stadium in Suva and Churchill Park in Lautoka – had 84 goals scored (5.25 per match) and many young players could give themselves a chance to show their skills at continental stage.
New Zealand and Solomon Islands made the finals – both coming from Group A that also had American Samoa and Samoa – while Vanuatu claimed the 3rd spot in the competition after beating Fiji by 1-0 in the 3rd/4th match game decider. The Ni-Vanuatu were the winners of Group B but they could not win Solomon Islands in the semifinals; the runners-up of Group B, Fiji, where heavily beaten by New Zealand in the other semifinal match by 6-1. Tonga and Papua New Guinea were the teams that completed the Group B.
After a very important tournament, that caught the attention of all football fans in Oceania, Oceania Football Center presents their ‘Team of Tournament’. The players were chosen democratically after one week of discussion among members of the Oceania Football Center group.
🇻🇺 Daniel Alick was the goalkeeper who less conceded goals in the tournament – with important stops helped Vanuatu to earn the 3rd place. During the whole tournament, Alick was very consistent.
🇳🇿 Liberato Cacace was an important player for the title winners, providing three assists during the tournament and being very solid at the left side.
🇳🇿 Billy Jones was the best New Zealand central back in the competition, even scoring one goal in the tournament. The US-based player shown solid performances and a huge future.
🇻🇺 Jason Thomas, the Vanuatu captain, was a great leader inside the pitch. Very calm with the ball and with perfect tackles, Vanuatu suffered only two goals in the tournament. Thomas was also a danger upfront with long range shots and powerful headers.
🇳🇿 Callan Elliot was very solid at the right wing for the title winners. The Wellington Phoenix player also helped upfront with a goal in the semifinal game against Fiji. Quick thinker, the youngster proves he has everything to be a future All White.
🇳🇿 Clayton Lewis had a fantastic tournament: scored three times and also provided six assists. The classical number 10 is technically gifted player, having in his left foot lot of talent to spread.
🇻🇺 Bong Kalo keeps proving himself as one of the most talented islanders. The ABM Galaxy midfielder scored three times in the competition and was the responsible for creating the most of the attacking plays of Vanuatu.
🇸🇧 Augustine Waita was inarguably the best player of Solomon Islads in the competition. The Henderson Eels attacking midfielder was the top-scorer of his with five. His pace was the key factor to cause trouble to the opposition defensive systems.
🇳🇿 Ben Waine is proving once more he is one of the best young prospects all over Oceania. The forward was the player who got most involved in goals with 8 goals scored and 7 assists provided.
🇳🇿 Myer Bevan destroyed all defenses he played against! The new Auckland City player scored no less than 12 goals in 5 matches played (2,4 goals per game).
🇳🇿 Logan Rogerson showed lots of techinique and also scored four times for his country in the competition. The OlyWhites captain was always a danger to the opposition defenses due his skills and intelligence moving and combining with his teammates.
The Oceania Football Center also chose among the outstanding players of the competition who would the Most Valuable Player – the best player of the tournament – and the decision goes as follows:
The Scunthorpe United midfielder Clayon Lewis was voted the MVP of the tournament for Oceania Football Center. The New Zealand U23 captain controlled the actions in the midfield and was the link between defense and attack. When you have the ability to control the midfield, your chances to win are much more higher and you have the possibilty to create more opportunities to score. Lewis reflect this inside the pitch, having the most of the attacking plays of his team starting from his feet.
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