Solomon Islands U-16 Women's Team Advance Into The Semi-finals For The First Time At The OFC U-16 Women's Championship
Solomon Islands have completed the semi-final lineup at the OFC U-16 Womens Championship in Samoa after a 1-0 win over Tonga in their final Group B match in Apia.
8 August 2025
A brilliant finish from Angie Ragaruma 16 minutes from time, proved the difference in a game where Tonga will be rueing, failing to convert numerous clear-cut chances to take the lead.
Needing a win to reach the last four for the first time, the Solomon Islands looked to press players forward from the outset, but that left them vulnerable on the break.
Liani Vaha had two great chances early on to put Tonga in front. Bursting through in the 9th minute she couldn't beat Maria Selestina in the Solomon Islands goal and then in the 16th minute, a beautiful through ball from Melia Manning saw Vaha get a better connection, beating Selestina, but seeing her effort rebound off the post.
Vaha hit the post for the second time in the first half with a powerful shot from outside the box just before the break, and immediately after the restart, she had another effort from close range cleared off the line by the Solomon Islands defence.
Vaha will be wondering how she didn't get on the scoresheet after another close call in the 58th minute, finding space down the right and firing a shot across the goal that beat Selestina, but went wide of the left hand upright.
Eight minutes later she rose to float a header goal bound, but it was again cleared by desperate Solomon Islands defending.
Then in the 74th minute and against the run of play, Ragaruma brilliantly took down a high through ball from Rose Aba inside the box, and with her third touch she riffled the ball past a despairing Temaleti Taufaao in the Tonga goal.
The Solomon Islands held on over the closing minutes to complete the win and set up a semi-final against hosts Samoa on Monday.
New Zealand and New Caledonia will meet in the other semi-final. The two semi-final winners will qualify for next year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.
Solomon Islands 1 (Angie RAGARUMA 74')
Tonga 0
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
25 minutes ago
- Scoop
OFC U-16 Women's Championship Final: Samoa And New Zealand Renew Rivalry
Press Release – OFC It's a rematch of last year's decider in Fiji, when New Zealand defeated Samoa 4-0 to claim their second straight title. This year the hosts are chasing their first title with the defending champions aiming to secure their seventh in a row. History and pride will be on the line when Samoa and New Zealand meet in the OFC U-16 Women's Championship 2025 final in Apia tomorrow. It's a rematch of last year's decider in Fiji, when New Zealand defeated Samoa 4-0 to claim their second straight title. This year the hosts are chasing their first title with the defending champions aiming to secure their seventh in a row. Both sides went unbeaten in the group stages, before winning their semi finals to secure their place in the final, and qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026. New Zealand captain Amelia Hitchcock said the tournament has been both enjoyable and testing. 'It's been really good, a really fun tournament. Playing in the final is going to be hard but we're up for the challenge.' Samoa captain Breanna Kitiona said playing at home makes the occasion even more special. 'It's exciting to do it here in Samoa and represent our country and villages. We've seen what New Zealand can do and I can't wait to see what they bring. I think it's been really exciting to see every team grow here. It's very special to be on home soil, playing against so many different styles of play, and I can't wait for tomorrow.' Samoa coach Juan Chang Urrea, who has now guided Samoa to back-to-back finals and consecutive FIFA U-17 World Cup berths, said his team had earned this opportunity through commitment and belief. 'We feel blessed to be here at home. It's a double blessing to play in the final. Hopefully, we create a pathway for Samoa football. New Zealand is a tough opponent, so we have to bring our A game tomorrow.' Chang Urrea praised the unity in his squad and their commitment to the plan. 'Bringing our team together from different parts of the world is not easy, but the girls believe in what we do. All credit goes to them. We've had several camps this year, and it's great to see that investment paying off. For tomorrow, we are excited but also realistic. We are at home, but New Zealand is a tough opponent. We must bring our A game.' Chang-Urrea said. New Zealand coach Alana Gunn said playing Samoa in the final is a valuable challenge. 'The tournament's been great. For this group of players, it's provided a good level of challenge on and off the pitch, which is always good from a development perspective. Obviously, there's a tough opponent in Samoa, looking strong through pool play. It's another timely challenge for these girls to test their resilience and ability to back up after a tough couple of weeks.'
RNZ News
25 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 13 August
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has named 10 potential debutants for Friday's clash against Tonga in Nuku'alofa. The 26-member squad has a mix of seasoned Super Rugby players, standout Australian Under-20s players and high-performing club players. The squad includes six uncapped players who featured for the Junior Wallabies at the recent World Rugby under-20s Championships in Italy, with veteran Fiji-born Seru Uru amongst the experienced hands named. Friday's match at Te'ufaiva Stadium will be Tonga's only warm-up game before they face Samoa in their opening Pacific Nations Cup clash on 23 August. Papua New Guinea will host the Pacific Bowl in this year's rugby league Pacific Championship series this October. The Kumuls will meet the Fiji Bati and Cook Islands in Port Moresby in the men's competition. reported the women's competition will feature PNG, Cook Islands and Tonga. The Pacific Bowl tournaments will be played over three consecutive weekends at Santos Stadium, kicking off on 18 October. The Pacific Cup competition, featuring Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand will be played in New Zealand and Australia. Taranaki NPC winger Taniela Rakuro has extended his place at the Fijian Drua for another Super Rugby Pacific season. The franchise said Rakuro, who made his debut in 2023, has signed a contract renewal for the 2026 competition. The wing is currently with Taranaki in New Zealand's NPC, as an injury cover for Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo. He scored five tries in their 97-nil victory over Thames Valley during a pre-season trial game. Rakuro said he is grateful for the oppotunity to play Super Rugby again with the Drua in the new season. Former double netball international, Kristiana Manu'a has announced her retirement from elite netball. The New Zealand-born player of Samoan heritage played for the Australian Diamonds national team in 2016 and for Samoa's Tifa Moana in 2023, where she captained the team. Her club Sunshine Coast Lightning says the player has had an illustrious 11-year career. Manu'a, 30, has played 128 National League matches across the ANZ Championship, ANZ Premiership and Suncorp Super Netball in both New Zealand and Australia. Tongan Tala women's netball team captain Hulita Veve is out of contract in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball competition, after the Queensland Firebirds announced she will not return to them in the new season. Veve has been with the Firebirds from 2024, playing 32 games for the club. She is one of three players that the club announced were not returning in 2026, the others being Tippah Dwan and Ashlee Barnett. Veve has been Tongan netball team captain since 2022. Fiji Bula Boys football coach Marika Rodu has named his 25-member extended squad for the King's Cup tournament in Thailand next month. The squad will be trimmed to a final 21 players before the trip. FBC reported Rodu has named a number of young players, with a focus on the next FIFA World Cup qualification cycle. The King's Cup will also feature host nation Thailand, Iraq, and Hong Kong.
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Scoop
Tonga Edge Fiji To Claim 5th At OFC U-16 Women's Championship
India-May Mann produced a moment of individual brilliance to seal a 1-0 victory for Tonga over Fiji, securing 5th place at the OFC U-16 Women's Championship in Apia. The decisive strike came in the 70th minute when the young forward latched onto a through ball and delivered an exquisite finish to put Tonga ahead. Just four minutes later, Fiji spurned their best opportunity of the match as Teonila Levuiciva fired narrowly wide of the left-hand post with the goalkeeper beaten. Fiji coach Marika Rodu had rotated almost his entire starting XI to give squad members valuable minutes, but his side were second best for much of the opening half. Tonga dominated possession and created several half-chances, coming closest when Mann caused chaos in the Fiji defence just before the break. Despite the pressure, neither side fashioned a clear-cut opportunity, and the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0. Six changes at the interval injected more urgency into Fiji's attack, and they nearly broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when substitute Adi Reva's powerful strike from the edge of the box was saved superbly by Tongan goalkeeper Ofa Filimone. Tonga responded with a pair of chances, first Mann forcing a sharp save from Fiji's Beatrice Qaniuci in the 59th minute, followed shortly by Liani Vaha testing the keeper from distance. Into injury time and Shania Singh forced a diving save from Filimone in what proved to be Fiji's last chance to force a penalty shootout. Mann's well-taken winner ultimately proved decisive, capping a strong all-round performance from Tonga, who fully deserved their victory, while Fiji were left to settle for sixth place. Fiji: 0 Tonga: 1 ( India-may MANN 70')
