OFC Women's Champions League: Auckland United, Hekari FC cruise into final
Photo:
OFC/RNZ Pacific
Defending champions Auckland United FC and Papua New Guinea's Hekari Women's FC have set themselves up for a rematch when they play in the 2025 OFC Women's Champions League final on Saturday.
Both teams powered their way through the semifinals in Papeete, Tahiti, on Thursday to secure their place in the final.
Hekari proved too strong for Fiji's Ba, winning 6-1 at the Stade Pater in the first semi-final, and booked a spot in their second straight OFC Women's Champions League final.
Reigning champs Auckland United played in the second game game of the day and showed their dominance over Henderson Eels of the Solomon Islands, also winning 6-1 in the end.
Auckland defeated Hekari 2-1 in pool play last week and also in last year's finals in Honiara.
OFC said that Hekari turned in their best performance of the tournament in a dominant display and that had they been more ruthless in front of goal in the first half, would have won more emphatically.
Ericsson Komeng's side dominated possession from the outset, were fluent in their buildup play but lacked quality in front of goal in the first spell before turning in a clinical second half performance.
Ba were outplayed throughout the clash, but managed a goal in the first half to keep a 1-all draw at halftime.
Luisa Tamanitoakula claimed the Fijian team's lone goal from the penalty spot.
Hekari managed three through Nenny Elipas, who scored one in the first half and two in the second. Other goals came from Marie Kaipu, who claimed a double and Phylis Pala, with one.
In the second semifinal, Auckland made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final.
OFC said Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker.
Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right-footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United goal.
That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack.
They did manage a free kick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end, while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute.
Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game.
The final of the 2025 OFC Women's Champions League will be played at 2pm on Saturday (NZ time).
The match will be telecast live and free on FIFA+.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Competition launched to name Papua New Guinea's NRL team
The board announcement was made in Port Moresby on Tuesday by the ARLC chairman Peter V'landys AM and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister, PNG A competition has been launched to name Papua New Guinea's new NRL team . The PNG team is set to join the NRL for the 2028 season. The Post-Courier reported Prime Minister James Marape saying the name should be driven by a motive that reflects national unity, positive growth, and a strong partnership with Australia. "In a land of a thousand tribes… this one team must resonate with one people, one nation, one country," he said at the competition launch. PNG NRL bid CEO Andrew Hill said the competition was about creating a team that every Papua New Guinean can call their own. "By inviting every Papua New Guinean to help us name our team, we are building something that truly belongs to its people," he said. The board for the franchise was named in June , and features Marcus Bai, who played for the Kumuls, Melbourne Storm and Leeds Rhinos; and Ray Dib, former chairman of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Submissions for the team name will be open to all Papua New Guineans until 31 August, after which a board-designated team will filter the names. The most popular suggestions will be put to a public online vote, with the final name requiring a majority vote to be selected. It is expected that the chosen name will be announced during Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
PNC 2025: Rugby World Cup spots will raise intensity, Flying Fijians coach says
Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is expecting a tougher Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) series this year, with the event doubling as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC). The Fijians will defend their PNC title against Tonga and Samoa in the round-robin Pacific zone matches, before travelling to the United States to compete in the play-offs against the Eagles, Canada and Japan. While Fiji and Japan are already confirmed for the 2027 RWC in Australia, the other four teams will be competing for the three Oceania spots available during the PNC. Byrne said that will add a lot more excitement to the competition, which kicks off on 23 August. "It's added another dimension to the PNC. We know that Moana Pasifika have had a great Super Rugby season, and there will be a number of their players that will have benefited from another season of Super Rugby when they move into the Tonga and Samoa teams during during our round-robin games. "It just means that what we expect from our Pacific Island neighbours around physicality is going to be there, and we know that they'll be desperate for their victories, and it's going to make for some really entertaining rugby. "With [RWC] qualifying spots on the line, it means everybody's going to be at their best and we just got to be ready for that." Mick Byrne is focused on the game ahead as he prepares the Flying Fijians for this Sunday's Test match against the Wallabies. Photo: Fiji Rugby Samoa and Tonga will kick off the Pacific zone meet on on 23 August in Nuku'alofa, while in the Asia zone, Canada and USA will tussle on the same day in Calgary. Fiji gets into action on 30 August in Suva against Tonga, with Japan and Canada tussling in Sendai in round two. The third round will see Fiji taking on Manu Samoa in Rotorua on 6 September, while USA and Japan will clash in California on 7 September in the final round-robin game. The winner of the Pacific pool will get to meet the runner-up from the Asia pool, while the winner of the Asia pool will take on the runner-up in the Pacific pool in the semi-finals, scheduled for 15 September. The two bottom teams from each zone will meet for fifth and sixth place. With Fiji and Japan out of the World Cup qualification equation, it means the top three placed teams from Canada, Samoa, Tonga and USA will get to fly to Australia. Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa With a number of their players unavailable with club commitments in New Zealand, France and Japan, all three Pasifika teams have opted for some fresh faces. Both Manu Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi and the 'Ikale Tahi mentor Tevita Tuifua have shown their concerns with the unavailability of some key players. But both agreed it was an opportune time to give new players the chance to play for their national teams. Pisi, who saw his team take on Scotland in early July, said the current set of players had raised their hands to represent Samoa, and his focus was on them, rather than on those who have made themselves unavailable. He said after their loss to Scotland in Auckland, the team will only get better, adding he was happy with the potential he saw. Pisi said they were better off and would only get better moving forward, with their next game being their first PNC clash against Tonga at Nuku'alofa on 23 August. Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa "Look, we had eight days to prepare and, obviously, there's probably habits in our game from lack of playing time that we didn't get to execute today," he said. "At the end of the day, it's a starting point for us moving forward to the qualifiers. "I'm really proud of the effort from the boys, but I'm sure they know too that those little habits in our game, in their game and our game, we just can't have those lapses in international rugby." Tonga's Tuifua said it was the same with them, but it was great opportunity to continue building their player depth. "The players have families also to look after and we don't want to force them into coming to play," he said. "We are happy with the players we have and look forward to the PNC, which is very important for us as it will be also be the qualifier for the world cup." Tonga take on Queensland Reds in a warm-up game at Teufaiva Stadium this weekend. Byrne agrees said the Fijian squad selection has been made with an eye on the RWC. "The PNC gives us a great opportunity to, you know, to work with our with our depth moving forward," Byrne said. "We've got a lot of good players that miss out in July and, you know, with the situation with some of our Northern Hemisphere players changing and starting at new clubs, and we respect the relationships that they have, and then they're building their relationships with new clubs. "It's an opportunity for us to bring in some younger players and bring them in and build our depth towards the World Cup in 2027." But all three teams also have some experienced hands in their mix. Samoa has captain Theo MacFarland, Michae Alaalatoa, Samuela Slade, Taleni Seu, Meilani Matavao, Duncan Paia'aua, Henry Taefu and Alai D'angelo Leuila as some of the experienced hands in the squad. Big Ben Tameifuna, Charles Piutau, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Lotu Anisi, Taniela Filimone, William Havili and Lotu Inisi add some leadership and experience to the 'Ikale Tahi camp. 'Ikale Tahi's Charles Piutau will be one of the experienced heads in the team. Photo: Lakapi Samoa 'Ikale Tahi player Ben Tameifuna. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union Fiji has former All Black Seta Tamanivalu, Semi Radradra, Viliame Mata and captain Tevita Ikanivere. "They'll be great experience for our squad, and they'll be good examples of for some of our younger players," Byrne said of his experienced hands. "They will be helping players with some decision making on the field and through our training sessions, just working with players and helping them understand the work that's needed." Both Samoa and Tonga have been in camp as they build-up to their PNC opener. The Fijians will get together in Suva at the weekend and begin their camp then. "The squad will come in on Saturday," Byrne said. "The first weekend of the PNC is our bye weekend, and we're going to make use of that week to have a great training week with no game at the end, where we can really work on our systems." Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo (L) runs the ball towards the try line during the rugby Test match between Fiji and Scotland at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on July 12, 2025. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua Byrne said one of the disadvantages for the Pacific island teams is the fact that majority of their top players are playing club rugby outside of thir countries. Fiji, for example, has players playing in 11 different competitions around the globe. Samoa and Tonga have a similar set-up as well. While this helps players develop and brings income to players and their families, the challenge for the island unions is bringing the players together when needed, with some missing out because of club commitments. "One of the challenges that we have, is a lot of our good players are playing overseas," he stated. "New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland and France have all their players who are local players. South Africa have got a lot of players overseas, but they play in the Rugby Championship and get their players released." Byrne said the PNC is also within the approved World Cup international windows, which means players needed for national duties should be released by their respective clubs, as per World Rugby's 'Regulation 9' Law. World Rugby Regulation 9 addresses player release for international duty, ensuring national unions have the right to select players for their national representative teams. It also outlines the conditions under which a player must be released by their club or other rugby body to represent their country, including preparation periods and training sessions. "We're in the same window as the rugby championship, so it's a recognized World Rugby window," Byrne said. But he adds he and the Flying Fijians management are also conscious of the fact that players are forging relationships with overseas clubs. "I haven't called on any 'Regulation 9' situations at this stage, but obviously, if we get to a point where we need our players then we'll call on it, but I'm really respectful of looking at the relationship between the player and the club and the player and us," he added. On the same token, Byrne said he was also happy to see alot of the local players now involved with club rugby in Australia and New Zealand. He said there's not a lot of rugby when Super Rugby finishes, and seeing players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga involved in the Australian and New Zealand competitions was positive. "If the players are developing their game in either Australia or New Zealand, that's good and and then with the Flying Fijians coming up, now, we call on players who have been playing rugby, so it's a good thing for us as well. "But the big the big winners are our players and they are getting exposed to another level of rugby and playing more footy. And some of our Drua players that may not have got a lot of rugby during the Super season get a little bit more rugby." A number of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga internationals currently play in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) in New Zealand, while others are playing in the New South Wales Shute Shield and Queensland Hospital Cup competitions.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 12 August
The Fijiana women's rugby team defeated Manusina Samoa 31-19 in a scrimmage match before the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Photo: PAULA TUVOU The Fijiana women's rugby team defeated Manusina Samoa 31-19 in a scrimmage match before the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. It was played in Sigatoka in Fiji. Both Pasifika teams wil head off to London on Wednesday. Manusina were in Fiji for their last training camp last week. The Papua New Guinea Hunters recorded another important win in the Hostplus Cup rugby league competition on Sunday. The side defeated Western Clydesdale 48-12 to remain in the top eight, as they chase a play-off spot. They are tied with the Jets and the Dolphins on points, but these two sides are ahead of them in sixth and seventh positions because of better points average. The Hunters next face the Magpies at home in Port Moresby, this coming Sunday. The Fiji Sports Commission has supported the Fijiana's campaign to the upcoming women's Rugby World Cup in England, with a Government grant of around $660,000 US dollars. Commission chief executive Peter Mazey said the Fijiana team continues to inspire the nation with their resilience, passion, and performance. He said the commission is proud to play their part in the team's journey. The Fijiana team departs on Wednesday for the world cup in England, and plays Canada in their first pool game on 24 August. Prop Taniela Tupou has reclaimed his spot in the Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship, following impressive performances during the British and Irish Lions series. Tupou, who played against the Lions for the Wallabies in the third test, also appeared for the First Nations Pasifika XV. He is amongst eight players of Pasifika origin named by head coach Joe Schmidt to face Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa in the championship. Tupou, born and raised in Tonga before moving to New Zealand and then to Australia, has signed with French Top 14 club Racing 92 for the 2026 season. Oceania Nations Cup winners Solomon Islands have climbed climbed 13 places in the world football rankings to 73. It is the highest ranking they have achieved to date. Samoa made a similar jump, up to the 86th spot from 99th, while Vanuatu made the biggest leap, 19 places, to 100th. Fiji was the biggest loser, dropping from 71st to 78th. Former Melbourne Storm and West Tigers player Justin Olam says the success of the new Papua New Guinea franchise depends on the unity and hard work of his countrymen and women. The new franchise is set to debut in the 2028 National Rugby League season. The National reported Olam, who was also a former PNG Kumuls player, has called on everyone in PNG to play their role in growing the sport through schools and communities. He said the franchise will be stronger if local development and the player base are strong. Former national touch coach and player Geoffrey Halston is the new Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee secretary-general. Cook Islands News reported Halston will start in the new role on 1 September, taking over from Keziah Lewis. The committee said Halston brings a wealth of experience in sports leadership and administration. President Luisa Peters said Halston's leadership, integrity and passion for sport will be a great asset to the organisation and the wider sporting community.
