New Zealand begin their campaign to qualify for next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup when they meet New Caledonia at midday on Monday (NZT).
It’s the first group game for New Zealand at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship which decides which nation will represent Oceania at the 2025 World Cup.
The eight-nation OFC tournament is being staged in Suva, Fiji.
The New Zealand squad named by new women’s U-17 head coach Alana Gunn, and features 15 players based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and three based in Australia and Canada.
Seven players were part of the squad who won the 2023 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024, set to be held in the Dominican Republic this October.
New Zealand squad
Derelle Avery (Spirit FC, Australia)
Mikaela Bangalan (Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Laura Bennett (Melville United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Mackenzie Bryant (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Taylah Byers (Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Heidi Draai (Football Victoria, Australia)
Grace Duncan (Tauranga Moana, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Charley March (Hibiscus Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Kara McGillivray (Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Harriet Muller (Moturoa AFC, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Piper O’Neill (Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Katie Pugh (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Holly Robins (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Kya Solomon (Taradale, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Keira Tichbon (Mississauga Soccer Academy, Canada)
Pia Vlok (Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Megan Waayer (Grants Braes, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Natalie Young (Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Results
Two games have been played in group A, with Samoa beating Cook Islands, and Fiji and Tonga settling for a draw.
Cook Islands 0
Samoa 10 (Kealia Nansen 3’, 22’ 48’ ; Jayde Sagapolutele 8’, 14’; Holly Leapai 18’, Ayres Ava 34’; Lynn Aiono Sagiao 72’)
Fiji 3 (Uliana Vuniyayawa 25’; Sisilia Tuvou Kuladina 39’; Grace Lakavutu 79’)
Tonga 3 (Kuria Malohifo’ou 49’, 84; Tyra Bagiante 53’)
Tournament groups
Group A
Fiji
Tonga
Cook Islands
Samoa (won qualifying tournament in June 2024)
Group B
New Zealand
New Caledonia
Tahiti
Solomon Islands
Fixtures
Games to be played on September 9, 2024
Group B
New Zealand v New Caledonia
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 12pm (NZT)
Tahiti v Solomon Islands
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 3pm (NZT)
Games to be played on September 12, 2024
Group B
New Zealand v Tahiti
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 12pm (NZT)
Solomon Islands v New Caledonia
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 3pm (NZT)
Games to be played on September 15, 2024
Group B
New Zealand v Solomon Islands
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 12pm (NZT)
New Caledonia v Tahiti
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 3pm (NZT)
This story was first published on Monday September 9, 2024.
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