PNG rebound with a strong win over Samoa

PNG bounced back in the winner’s circle after defeating Samoa with a 4-2 win in the 2026 OFC U-19 Men's Championship today (September 4th) at FFS Football Stadium in Apia, Samoa.

The Mathew Witu-coached side went down to the spirited Solomon Islands with a 1-0 loss in the opening match on Tuesday, September 1st, and rebounded with a strong win this afternoon. 

Samoa struck first, with Isaiah Afamasaga netting the opening goal. However, PNG responded with an equalizer from Nalau Moses and scored again, stealing the lead 2-1 at the break. 

PNG lifted their tempo in the second half, adding 3 goals to widen the lead to 4-1. As the clock raced down, the hosts bagged a consolation goal, going down 4-2.

Captain Nalau Moses, who played a key role in PNG’s decisive win and walked away with the Man-of-the-Match honors, said it was a tough win.

“It was a very tough match. I thank God for giving us the strength to play and come up with a good result,” Moses said.

“In every match, there’s a winner and a loser. It’s good that we played a strong game as a team, the boys put in the effort, and we came up with a good result.” 

Skipper Moses admitted that they would polish up in some of the areas the team did not do well today and come back strong in their next outing.    

PNG goal-scoring ace David Tita expressed similar sentiments shared by captain Moses, dedicating the much-needed triumph to one of his mothers whose birthday was today.

“The game was really tough. Playing against the home side was something we had to work hard and put our best performance to defeat them,” Tita said.

“Scoring this goal was really special for me. I promised one of my mothers back home whose birthday is today, so I dedicate this goal to her.”

Sitting third on the ladder in Group A, the young Kapuls need to win their last group match if they want to advance to the semifinal.

Captain Moses thanked his teammates, the coaching staff, team management, PNGFA, and the fans in PNG for their support.

The rejuvenated PNG side now looks forward to their do-or-die clash against the confident New Caledonian outfit next Monday, September 7th.

PC: OFC