Papua New Guinea Defeat Fiji And Will Chase Back To Back Titles In Suva
Ericson Komeng's side enjoyed long spells of dominance and showed their cohesion, with seven players from Hekari United Women's FC featuring in the starting XI.
Marie Kaipu posed a constant threat up front, supported by Michaelyne Butubu and Keren Kalapai. Fiji, in contrast, looked to exploit the pace of Narieta Leba on the counter.
The return of midfield maestro Ramona Padio, absent during last month's friendlies between the sides in Port Moresby, proved influential. In the 26th minute, her pinpoint cross was headed home by Kalapai to open the scoring.
Padio nearly doubled the lead four minutes later, denied only by a superb near-post save from 18-year-old Fiji goalkeeper Emily Esposito.
But Padio didn't have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, just three minutes later, she unleashed a powerful 30-metre effort that bounced awkwardly in front of Esposito, who couldn't keep it out.
Fiji hit back immediately. Straight from the restart, a long ball released Leba, who regained her footing after stumbling and rifled a right-footed strike past Lavinia Hola to halve the deficit.
Chances followed either side of the break for Fiji as they desperately sought an equaliser. Leba squared a dangerous ball across goal for Trina Davis, who couldn't connect with the net beckoning. Moments into the second half, Cema Nasau, quiet in the first half, forced a brilliant save from Hola at close range.
Fiji coach Angeline Chua made a bold call at halftime, replacing Davis with 14-year-old Adi Reva, but PNG's experience and control shone through. They lifted their intensity, dictated the tempo, and saw out the match with composure.
Captain Maria Veronika cleared off the line for Fiji with 20 minutes remaining, and on attack Fiji threw everything at the PNG defence in the final minutes but couldn't find the magic touch needed to draw level and force extra time.
It's heartbreak for Fiji—once again falling 2-1 to PNG, just as in the 2022 final. The hosts will now turn their focus to Saturday's third-place playoff, while Papua New Guinea await either Solomon Islands or Samoa in the final.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2 (Keren KALAPAI 26' Ramona PADIO 33')
HT 2-1
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