Defending champions New Zealand have secured a place in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, after defeating Tahiti 5-0 in Suva.
The tournament decides which of its eight teams will represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
In the day’s other group B game, New Caledonia beat Solomon Islands 2-1.
Main photo: Solomon Islands’ Agnes Afia competes for possession with New Caledonia’s Kheiméra Gondou. Photo credit: OFC Media / Phototek.
The results guarantee New Zealand a semi-final spot, while the Solomon Islands remain second in Group B over New Caledonia, courtesy of a superior goal difference.
Heading into Sunday’s final group stage matches, there’s a possibility for Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Tahiti to qualify for the final four.
New Zealand made to work for win by Tahiti
New Zealand kicked off their second match of the tournament knowing a win should take them into the final four, but Tahiti weren’t going to let New Zealand have it easy.
The reigning champions dominated possession as expected, but the Tahitians set up a strong defensive block that disrupted the Group B leaders’ rhythm for the first part of the opening stages of the game.
In the 25th minute, the Tahitian defence finally broke after failing to clear the ball.
Forward Pia Vlok pounced on the loose ball, taking it around the goalkeeper to finish from a narrow angle, making it 1-0.
New Zealand were then dealt a blow when midfielder Keira Tichbon went down with a non-contact injury. She was replaced by the Player of the Match in their last game, Grace Duncan.
Tichbon had been such a positive outlet for New Zealand so far this tournament, and her departure meant a slight adjustment in attack.
On the stroke of half-time, New Zealand had their second goal of the match.
A corner wasn’t cleared by the Tahitian defence, and after the ball pinballed around the goalmouth, Holly Robins eventually landed the decisive touch.
But they weren’t done yet. Substitute Grace Duncan scored her third goal of the tournament and second from a set-piece, when her curling shot floated over Kalea Torohia, who mistimed her jump.
New Zealand started the second half looking to build on their momentum but Torohia had other ideas.
The Tahitian goalkeeper pulled off some saves early to prevent her opponents extending their lead.
Kya Solomon was next to try her luck, driving into the penalty before and curling her shot into the corner, but again Torohia got down to deny the team in black.
New Zealand’s persistence paid off.
Half-time substitute Natalie Young extended their lead just before the hour mark. After being found in space in the penalty area, she coolly converted past Torohia.
Kya Solomon added a fifth goal in the 72nd minute. After picking up the ball out wide, she drove into the 18-yard box, beating a defender before slotting the ball home from an acute angle.
The Kiwi side could have added plenty more had it not been for Torohia, who made some brilliant saves in the final 15 minutes of the match.
Race for second semi-final spot stays open
New Caledonia won a close encounter against the Solomon Islands 2-1 at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
Solomon Islands entered the match brimming with confidence after a hard-fought win over Tahiti.
As for New Caledonia, they were looking to improve on their heavy defeat to New Zealand.
Just nine minutes into the match, New Caledonia got on the scoresheet for the first time in the tournament. Kinë Hmaen capitalised on a mix-up in the Solomon Islands’ defence, before making no mistake with her finish.
Solomon Islands restored parity minutes later when a misjudged throw from the New Caledonia goalkeeper went straight to a lurking Gracester Kini, who gratefully lobbed her to double her tally for the tournament.
Kané Dralu was disappointed not to score in the 26th minute, as New Caledonia again beat the Solomon Islands’ offside trap. The forward found herself in plenty of space out wide, but the angle was too tight, and she couldn’t take advantage.
On the hour mark, New Caledonia regained the lead.
Quickest to react and quickest on the pitch, Hmaen raced clear of the Solomons’ defence, rounded the onrushing Fiona Goroani, and scored into an empty net.
This sparked a more sustained period of the Solomons being in New Caledonia’s half, but they struggled to create clearcut chances.
Yakida Waïa had a chance to draw Solomon Islands level, but New Caledonia goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben was up to the task and smothered her shot from distance.
Hmaen was in search of a hat trick, coming close several times but was unable to find the final finish. She then almost turned provider, setting up Shana Nemoinon, but the substitute was ruled offside.
Acknowledgement
We thank OFC Media for providing information for this story.
Results
Games played on September 12, 2024
Group B
New Zealand 5 (Pia Vlok 25’, Holly Robins 45’, Grace Duncan 45+3’, Natalie Young 59’, Kya Solomon 72’)
Tahiti 0
Solomon Islands 1 (Gracester Kine 12′)
New Caledonia 2 (Kinë Hmaen 9′, 60′)
Fixtures
Games to be played on September 14, 2024
Group A
Tonga v Cook Islands
HFC Bank Stadium,Suva, 12pm (NZT)
Samoa v Fiji
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 September 12, 2024.
More football stories
