New Zealand and Fiji were the first day winners at the inaugural OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands.
The tournament, which decides which nation will represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines, began with the Futsal Ferns romping to a 10-0 victory against Tonga.
In the second match, Fiji came from behind to beat Tahiti 2-1.
Main photo: New Zealand’s Tessa Leong (left) and captain Hannah Kraakman. Photo credit: OFC Media / Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
New Zealand off to perfect start
New Zealand have made a dream start to the first-ever OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup, with a 10-0 victory over Tonga in Honiara.
The Kiwis hit the ground running at Friendship Hall, with two goals in the early stages.
Tessa Leong scored the first goal in OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup history, before Hannah Kraakman added a second to help build a platform.
Tonga worked valiantly and looked to hit on the break but were second best for most of the opening period.
Leong was at the heart of much of New Zealand’s attack and it was she who made it 3-0 for New Zealand
A fourth goal followed not long after. Excellent quick feet by Alosi Bloomfield created space and her accurate cross was tucked away by Jamie Evans.
Tonga were struggling to weather the storm, despite some opportunistic efforts from range, and they conceded a fifth goal with a little under five minutes remaining in the half.
Maxine Cooper’s effort from range found the net to put her side well in control.
The second half failed to match the intensity of the first half, and Tonga were good value, raising their performance and forcing Danielle Bradley into a number of fine saves, especially from the increasingly dangerous Ana Polovili.
Unfortunately for Manu Tualau’s side, they couldn’t make the most of their chances and the Kiwis put the foot down as the half wore on.
Alosi Bloomfield got the goal her display deserved, before Shiv Anthony added a seventh.
A deflected effort from Bremner made it eight before nine and ten came courtesy of Jemma Catherwood and Libby Boobyer, respectively.
The Player of the Match award went to captain Kraakman.
Fiji come from behind to beat Tahiti
In the day’s second match, Fiji got a vital victory, overcoming Tahiti 2-1 to grab three points thanks to two goals from Koleta Likuculacula.
In front of a noisy crowd in Friendship Hall, both sides hit the ground running, with the opening spell an end-to-end affair.
Fiji’s Cema Nasau was a constant threat, hitting the outside of the box after only a handful of minutes before being thwarted soon after by Tahiti goalkeeper Corail Harry.
At the other end, Tahiti were dangerous on the counter, with the powerful presence of Marina Rameha proving difficult to deal with for the Fijian defence.
The No.9 created space for herself well, but her effort from range was straight at Mereoni Tinaimakubuna.
The game sparked into life with Tahiti taking the lead in the 15th minute thanks to the ever-present Remeha.
It didn’t take Fiji long to respond, however.
Koleta Likuculacula brought the ball down expertly on the right side of the Tahiti box, before cutting onto her left foot and drilling an effort past Harry to restore parity.
Fiji continued to be the stronger of the two sides in the second period but neither side were able to trouble the scoreboard.
Louisa Simmons provided the Fijians with some added bite in midfield, and she almost found a way through, winning the ball tenaciously, but her low effort was coped with by Harry.
The influential Cema Nasau looked the likeliest to strike next but was continually frustrated by the equally impressive Harry in goal.
The ‘keeper’s aggressive style made it difficult for the Fijians to finish with any sense of composure.
Tahiti’s efforts took a significant hit when Ninauea Hioe saw red for a second yellow card, leaving her side a player short for two minutes.
Fiji looked to turn the screw, and though they were unable to score with the player advantage, they finally broke through with minutes left on the clock.
Tahiti goalkeeper Harry made an excellent double save from a free-kick but was powerless to deny Likuculacula, who got a deserved second for herself to make it 2-1.
The Player of the Match award went to Fiji’s Likuculacula.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful for the help of OFC Media in providing information for this story.
Results
Games played on Saturday August 17, 2024
New Zealand 10 (Tessa Leong 4′, 10′, Hannah Kraakman 6′, Jamie Evans 15′, Maxine Cooper 18′, Alosi Bloomfield 32′, Shivy Anthony 35′, Jordana Bremner 37′, Jemma Catherwood 40′, Libby Boobyer 40′)
Tonga 0
Tahiti 1 (Marina Rahema 15′)
Fiji 2 (Koleta Likuculacula 19′, 37′)
Fixtures
Game to be played on Tuesday August 20, 2024
Fiji v New Zealand
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 4pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Thursday August 22, 2024
Solomon Islands v New Zealand
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 6pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Friday August 23, 2024
New Zealand v Tahiti
Friendship Hall, Honiara, 4pm (NZT)
This story was first published on August 17, 2024.
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