Papua New Guinea have been eliminated from the Pacific Games in bizarre circumstances after they picked up a 3-0 win by default in their opening group game.
Santiago Marina's side were one of the favourites to qualify for this winter's tournament in the Solomon Islands ahead of games against Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
They recorded a 3-0 win over underdogs Tuvalu in their first Group B fixture but that result was completely out of their control.
Tuvalu arrived late for Friday's opening Pacific Games match after their flight was delayed because of a cyclone in Fiji, meaning Papua New Guinea were awarded a 3-0 win by default.
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It seemed like a positive result for Guinea until Vanuatu knocked six goals past Vanuatu.
Going into their final game, Papua New Guinea needed to beat Vanuatu by three goals or more to secure qualification but they could only scrape a point.
Vanuatu, therefore, progressed to the knockout stages, while the Kapuls were eliminated thanks, in part, to a delayed flight.
X user Paul Watson delivered the unfortunate update on Thursday morning.
"A bizarre and cruel elimination for Papua New Guinea at the Pacific Games," he wrote. "After drawing with Vanuatu they lose out to them on goal difference in their 3-team group because Tuvalu didn't arrive in time for their game giving them a 3-0 win by default opposed to Vanuatu's 6-0."
Here's how social media reacted to the situation.
One fan said: "Think they should’ve seen this coming and played a penalty shootout in the event of a draw," while another commented: "Unfair."
A third wrote: "A lesson to competition rule writers everywhere," and a fourth added: "Especially unfortunate considering PNG vs Vanuatu was the last game meaning Vanuatu knew going in all they needed was a draw."
The Pacific Games football tournament will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands from November 17th to December 1st.
Topics: Football
Jack Kenmare