Vanuatu Stun PNG in Port Moresby to Claim First-Ever MSG Cup Crown
In a heart-stopping finale packed with drama, grit, and last-minute heroics, Vanuatu dethroned the defending champions Papua New Guinea Kapuls to lift the 2025 MSG Prime Minister’s Football Cup—winning 2 (5) – 2 (4) on penalties.
The visitors came out firing, with Alex Saniel pouncing early to give Vanuatu a 1–0 lead at halftime. Buoyed by sharp passing and relentless pressing, they looked every bit the future champions.
 |
| Vanuatu Stun PNG in Port Moresby to Claim First-Ever MSG Cup Crown |
But the Kapuls roared back after the break. Ati Kepo leveled the score in the second half, forcing the match into extra time after a 1–1 draw at full time.
The drama escalated when Luka Tioni put Vanuatu back in front during extra time—only for Pala Paul to answer with a clutch equaliser, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
PNG started strong in the shootout: Daniel Joe and Emmanuel Simon buried their kicks, and goalkeeper Dave Tomara made two brilliant saves. But fate had other plans. Vanuatu shot-stopper Koloran Firiam turned hero with back-to-back stops, flipping the script. Then, captain Bryan Kaltack stepped up and blasted the winning penalty, sending Vanuatu into delirium.
Kapuls coach David Muta praised his squad’s effort: “They fought to the final whistle. Credit to Vanuatu—they seized their moment.”
Vanuatu’s head coach Lars Hopp hailed his team’s resilience: “We stayed calm when it mattered. The nation will celebrate—and rightly so!”
This landmark victory not only ends PNG’s reign but also marks Vanuatu’s arrival as a new powerhouse in Melanesian football.
Also read
Post a Comment