New Caledonia vs Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands opened their MSG Prime Minister's Cup campaign in style, beating New Caledonia 2-0 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. It was a statement result for a side that hadn't tasted victory in international football for nearly two years, and it came without needing to survive a scare — New Caledonia never really threatened an equalizer. There were no cards, penalties, or major flashpoints to speak of; this was a controlled, professional away performance rather than a chaotic one. Solomon Islands, under coach Ben Cahn, kept a clean sheet throughout, while New Caledonia's entirely domestic-based squad, led by first-time boss Felix Tagawa, struggled to create clear chances. The win snaps Solomon Islands' long winless streak and eases some of the sting from their heavy 10-2 defeat to Bulgaria earlier this year, putting them in good shape to chase a repeat of their 2023 tournament triumph. For New Caledonia, it's a rough start to a competition they've finished runners-up in four times without ever lifting the trophy, and after missing the 2025 edition entirely, the pressure is already building.