Papua New Guinea secured a 1-0 victory over the Solomon Islands U23 team in an MSG PM Cup match on December 9, 2024. This result gave PNG a perfect start to their tournament campaign with a hard-fought three points. The only goal of the game was scored in the first half, with Papua New Guinea capitalizing on a defensive error to take the lead. The Solomon Islands U23 team controlled much of the possession in the second half, creating several chances to equalize, but they were denied by a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from PNG. The win was crucial for Papua New Guinea's standing in Group A, putting them in a strong early position. The PNG coach highlighted his team's defensive discipline, while the Solomon Islands manager pointed to a lack of composure in the final third.