Samoa U19 have been forced into a must-win situation after going down 5-0 against New Zealand in their second pool game of the OFC U19 Men's Championship on Tuesday.

The result means New Zealand has clinched a semi-final berth after two wins from two games. Samoa has one win and a loss, the same as New Caledonia setting up an intense final pool game.

The defending champions caught the hosts napping in the opening minutes, Luke Supyk outmuscling the Samoan defence, before forcing a save from Joel Bartley, who tipped it onto the crossbar.

New Zealand’s early dominance paid dividends in the opening stages. A cross in from the right-hand side was initially dealt with by Samoa but Codey Phoenix was there on the follow up, producing a great half volley that nestled into the bottom corner

Phoenix had his second not long after, his high curling corner managed to beat everyone including the goalkeeper, which delighted the small Kiwi contingent in the crowd.

Samoa struggled to find any footing in the match – the wet weather certainly didn’t help – as the Kiwis peppered the hosts penalty area. Eventually the hosts broke again, Fergus Gillion smartly finishing in the corner, after a great run and assist from Lachlan Candy.

Action was limited at the start of the second period of play but sparked into life around the 60th minute. New Zealand’s Nathan Walker shot glanced across the face of goal, narrowly missing the outstretched leg of Supyk at the back post.

Moments later, Lewis Partridge produced a delightful cross into the penalty box for Supyk, however, Bartley made an amazing point blank save to deny New Zealand a fourth goal.

The defending champions fourth goal did eventually come, Partridge the beneficiary. A low cross was sent into the box, Supyk flicked it on for Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues whose point blank shot was save by Bartley. However, Partridge was there on the follow up to smash it home.

Samoa toiled away but couldn’t break down a sturdy New Zealand defence. Captain Pharrell Trainor, who had been so effective up front against Papua New Guinea, was kept quiet.

A late fifth came via an unfortunate own goal as New Zealand finished strongly

Samoa coach Valerio Raccuglia was proud of his team's efforts.

"Nothing changes for us, our goal is still to get to the semi-finals. The boys fought hard today, I have nothing bad to say about them. They gave it their all and that is all I could ask," he said.

New Zealand coach Chris Greenacre said Samoa was a strong team. 

"We put on a strong performance, but it was a strong opposition. Samoa, they are well-coached, they are well drilled, and at moments they pressed us they made life difficult for us," he said.

"It was about us trying to find solution in how we play, and its taken three to four set pieces to break the deadlock."

Coach Greenacre believes Samoa's goalkeeper Joey Bartley did an amazing job making "world-class saves".

"He played a huge part in this goal line and I think he pulled off some really good saves particularly the one in the first minute. If that one went in that would settle everyone's nerves and we could have gained control but that was like a world-class save," he said.

In Pool A, Solomon Islands beat Fiji 3-0 while Tahiti edged Vanuatu 1-0. The pool remains wide open.

Pool A matches will be played on Thursday while Pool B matches on Friday.