Kiribati beat Nadroga 6–0 at HFC Bank Stadium to record the first win in the senior team’s history and qualify for the semi-finals. Before this tournament, Te Eitei’s recorded history was 11 matches at the South Pacific and Pacific Games, with no wins.
Bauro Martin Jr scored a hat-trick, with Nabetari Itiata, Booia Maitina and Kiniore Teofilo Siu also on the scoresheet. Because Nadroga are a district side, the result doesn’t count as an official international win, but it was the first time a Kiribati senior team had walked off the pitch as winners.
