Vanuatu’s dream of reaching the OFC U-16 Championship ended yesterday after a 2-2 draw with Tonga in their final qualifying match.

Tonga led the game before Vanuatu came from behind to equalize. Despite the strong fight, the draw was not enough to secure a spot in the next stage.

Papua New Guinea, who won both of their matches in the group, has officially qualified and will travel to the Solomon Islands for the main tournament in August.

PNG will now join Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tahiti in Group A to compete for a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar next year.