Samoa, NZ off to under-17 FIFA World Cup

RNZ News

14 hours ago

Samoa and New Zealand will compete at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco
Photo:
OFC Media via Phototek
Samoa and New Zealand will compete at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, following their semi-final wins at the OFC Under-16 Women's Championship in Apia on Monday.
The two countries have already booked their spots also for this year's age grade world cup, scheduled for November, after also finishing as the top two teams from last year's Oceania competition.
Samoa defeated Solomon Islands 5-0 at the Samoa Football field in the first semi-final on Monday, before New Zealand held off New Caledonia to win their clash 4-2 in the second semi-final.
The wins means the two teams will clash in Apia on Thursday in the championship finale, to decide number one and two from the region, which is a repeat of last year's final.
Meanwhile, OFC said Juan Chang Urrea's Samoa side played to the delight of a passionate home crowd, who were cheering for them throughout their semi-final clash against the Solomon Islands.
Samoa dominated possession and territory early, with the midfield trio of Taimane Devoux, captain Kitiona, and Macey Tuiolosega dictating play.
With an abundance of possession in their control, they were able to release attackers Cali Willis, Aaliyah Johnson, and Jayde Sagapolutele.
Captain Kitiona said it was a tough match but she was proud of the players pulling through in the end.
"It was so great seeing everyone connecting on the field," she said after the game.
"I think we put so much work into this and it did show today."
Player Aaliyah Johnson said the players got it done in the end.
"I am so happy the team could come together again this way," she said.
On qualifying for the World Cup, Johnson said it is going to be exciting.
"It's amazing and I am so proud," she stated.
"It's going to be my first World Cup."
Captain Kitiona said they are proud to be representing Samoa.
"It's so great representing our country and I think it's gonna be a great experience."
The players also thanked all their families and fans for the support they have received as a team during their campaign.
The breakthrough for Samoa came in the 9th minute when Tuiolosega's cross took an unfortunate deflection off Solomon Islands captain Teisika Rotoava and into the net.
Johnson saw a goal ruled out for offside in the 28th minute, but moments later Kitiona doubled the advantage, heading home unmarked at the far post from a corner.
Samoa struck the woodwork before the break but took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Johnson scoring in the 59th minute, before Devoux added her name to the scoresheet in the 69th, with substitute Tova Auvaa claiming the last goal of the match.
Alana Gunn's NZ side were stretched by a gallant New Caledonia side that kept fighting back until the end of the game.
OFC media reported it took two goals in quick succession early in the second half from Amelia Hitchcock and Mia Humphrey to break New Caledonia's resolve.
Up until Hitchcock's 52nd minute strike, the Kiwis had largely been second best.
Players Charlotte Summers and Lexi Hedington shared their excitement after the game.
Summers said New Caledonia gave them a tough run.
"It was a good game and quite tricky, quite different from the other games," she said.
"New Caledonia really put up a fight for it," Hedington said.
"We knew they were going to come out strong and give everything they got but we did our best to try and defend that, which we did really well. So we ended up getting there."
The players said the message to them at half-time, when the teams were tied 1-1, was clear.
"We had a clear message in our head," Hedington said.
"It was either don't win and don't go to the World Cup, or we win and go on the plane to the World Cup next year, so that brought our confidence back."
The duo said qualifying for the World Cup was special to both of them and the team as a whole.
"It's so exciting and someting new to work towards," Summers added.
New Zealand's first goal came via Isla Robson in the 15th minute but New Caledonia struck back with Kinë Hmaen in the 29th minute.
That had the scoreline at 1-1 after the first spell.
New Zealand regrouped at half-time and after withstanding concerted New Caledonia pressure early in the second spell, Amelia Hitchcock's strike from 25 metres out turned the match.
Three minutes later Mia Humphrey burst down the right and calmly slotted the ball past Kessyna Nyipie in the New Caledonia goal.
But New Caledonia kept applying the pressure and Emmanuelle Buama scored a consolation goal in injury time.
Solomon Islands and New Caledonia will play-off for third spot on Thursday, before the final.