Latest news with #Arukau
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Solomon Islands Make History By Qualifying For Maiden OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 Final
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Despite defeat, Samoa will have the chance to claim third when they face Fiji prior to Saturday's final between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands have defeated Samoa 2-1 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva to reach the final of the OFC Women's Nations Cup for the first time. Samoa hit the front early on, but two goals in the space of 12 minutes completed a first half comeback for the Solomon Islands, who held on to seal victory in Wednesday's second semi-final. It sets up a final against Papua New Guinea back at HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday night, where the Solomon Islands will be hoping to lift the continental crown for the first time. The Solomon Islands were victors when the two nations met in the third-place play-off at the 2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup but were dealt an early blow when defender Sharoly Saeni was forced off inside the first six minutes. It meant Jacklyn Ikama came on a lot earlier than she would have expected, and Samoa took advantage of her inability to adapt straight away. Oteta Kitonia latched onto a well-weighted delivery into the box and calmly slotted the ball past Zainab Donga to give Samoa the lead in the 14th minute, scoring her second goal of the tournament, and her nation's first ever in an OFC Women's Nations Cup semi-final. That sparked the Solomon Islands into gear though, and it didn't take them long to get their dangerous frontline trio of Ileen Pegi, Madeline Arukau, and Lorina Solosaia going. Just six minutes later, the Solomon Islands were back level through a moment of magic from captain Pegi. She picked up the ball down the left-hand side of the box, before cutting inside and curling a delightful right-footed effort into the top-right corner of the net. The short comeback was complete in the 33rd minute, when Solosaia and Almah Gogoni scrapped hard in the box, forcing Samoan defender Breanna Kitiona to nudge the ball into her own net. Ahead on the scoreboard, momentum was well and truly in the Solomon Islands favour, and they had chances to add a third goal before the break, Arukau notably poking an effort into the side-netting. Arukau continued to probe in the second half, first forcing Xeyana Salanoa to rush off her line for a crucial block, before forcing the goalkeeper into a save at her near post either side of the hour mark. Samoa controlled more of the ball as the contest progressed in search of a way back into the match but continued to struggle for any clear goal-scoring chances. That forced Coach Juan Chang Urrea to ring the changes, injecting Alisa Tuatagaloa and Gracie Va'afusuaga into the action. An error from Donga in goal was the closest Samoa came, but a defender was on hand to scurry the ball clear from danger for the Solomon Islands, and they held out through the final ten minutes, and seven minutes of injury-time for an historic win. Despite defeat, Samoa will have the chance to claim third when they face Fiji prior to Saturday's final between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Solomon Islands Make History By Qualifying For Maiden OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 Final
The Solomon Islands have defeated Samoa 2-1 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva to reach the final of the OFC Women's Nations Cup for the first time. Samoa hit the front early on, but two goals in the space of 12 minutes completed a first half comeback for the Solomon Islands, who held on to seal victory in Wednesday's second semi-final. It sets up a final against Papua New Guinea back at HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday night, where the Solomon Islands will be hoping to lift the continental crown for the first time. The Solomon Islands were victors when the two nations met in the third-place play-off at the 2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup but were dealt an early blow when defender Sharoly Saeni was forced off inside the first six minutes. It meant Jacklyn Ikama came on a lot earlier than she would have expected, and Samoa took advantage of her inability to adapt straight away. Oteta Kitonia latched onto a well-weighted delivery into the box and calmly slotted the ball past Zainab Donga to give Samoa the lead in the 14th minute, scoring her second goal of the tournament, and her nation's first ever in an OFC Women's Nations Cup semi-final. That sparked the Solomon Islands into gear though, and it didn't take them long to get their dangerous frontline trio of Ileen Pegi, Madeline Arukau, and Lorina Solosaia going. Just six minutes later, the Solomon Islands were back level through a moment of magic from captain Pegi. She picked up the ball down the left-hand side of the box, before cutting inside and curling a delightful right-footed effort into the top-right corner of the net. The short comeback was complete in the 33rd minute, when Solosaia and Almah Gogoni scrapped hard in the box, forcing Samoan defender Breanna Kitiona to nudge the ball into her own net. Ahead on the scoreboard, momentum was well and truly in the Solomon Islands favour, and they had chances to add a third goal before the break, Arukau notably poking an effort into the side-netting. Arukau continued to probe in the second half, first forcing Xeyana Salanoa to rush off her line for a crucial block, before forcing the goalkeeper into a save at her near post either side of the hour mark. Samoa controlled more of the ball as the contest progressed in search of a way back into the match but continued to struggle for any clear goal-scoring chances. That forced Coach Juan Chang Urrea to ring the changes, injecting Alisa Tuatagaloa and Gracie Va'afusuaga into the action. An error from Donga in goal was the closest Samoa came, but a defender was on hand to scurry the ball clear from danger for the Solomon Islands, and they held out through the final ten minutes, and seven minutes of injury-time for an historic win. Despite defeat, Samoa will have the chance to claim third when they face Fiji prior to Saturday's final between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Scoop
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Solomon Islands Topple Tonga To Advance To Women's Nations Cup Semi-Finals
Solomon Islands came into their final Group B game against Tonga knowing they needed to win in order to secure likely passage to the semi-finals and put Vanuatu under pressure to get a result against hosts and group leaders Fiji in the second game of the evening. They settled quickly into the game, opening the scoring in the eighth minute through Madeleine Arukau. Lorina Solosaia unselfishly laid it off to an unmarked Arukau in the penalty area, and the Solomon Islands number eight made no mistake slotting it home. Pegi doubled her side's lead in the 29th minute, capping off a well-constructed move from the Solomons. A gorgeous short pass from Arukau to Solosaia took out two Tongan defenders, and Solosaia then laid off to her captain to score her second of the tournament and her country's second of the game. The Solosaia-Arukau-Pegi combination produced the Solomons' third goal just before half time. This time it was Solosaia releasing Arukau to create the opportunity for her captain, Pegi, who had the time to pick her spot and put the Solomons out of sight. Despite being down, Tonga came out in the second half determined to show they weren't done yet, earning an early corner and soon after a free kick in a dangerous position. However, they were unable to capitalise on either opportunity. Tonga held out until the 77th minute, but the Solomon Islands' attacking quality eventually broke through again, with the fourth goal sealing their dominance. Almah Gogoni started the move, driving a quick counterattack down the right wing before slipping the ball to Arukau. Arukau danced around her markers to shoot, only for her shot to take a deflection, and second half substitute Jemina David was on hand to finish. Arukau got her name on the scoresheet again eight mnutes later , latching onto a long ball over the top of the Tongan defence, taking a touch and coolly slotting past goalkeeper Keira Wolfgramm to seal a dominant victory for the Solomons. HT: 3-0 Solomon Islands: 5 (Madeleine ARUKAU 8', 85'; Ileen PEGI 29', 41'; Jemina DAVID 77') Tonga: 0
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Arukau The Hero For Henderson Eels On Opening Day In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation A hat-trick from Henderson Eels Madeline Arukau has led her side to an impressive opening match victory over Tupapa Maraerenga at the OFC Womens Champions League in Papeete. Arukau was the hero for the Solomon Islanders with two clinical first half strikes after talismanic skipper Ileen Pegi had slotted home the first goal of the tournament. Aarakau added her hat-trick goal soon after the break to seal a dominant win for Priscilla Tariga's side. The Cook Islands side had started the match well and created the opening goal scoring chance with Te Upoko Tuariki testing the goal with Mii Savage driving the play from midfield. But playing into the wind proved difficult for Tupapa to retain possession and Henderson Eels were able to control the ball and threaten regularly down the left with Pegi a constant threat on goal. After continued pressure and a standout save from Tupapa's keeper Rianna Pepe, Pegi finally broke through in the 26th minute putting her side deservedly in front. Henderson Eel's speed in the midfield was epitomised by Lorina Solosaia and Pegi, and the team was rewarded with two rapid goals from Arukau in the 36th and 40th minute respectively. Tupapa came out strong after the break, with the wind at their backs midfield, the side showed attacking intent early. But in typical fashion, the Eels were lightening quick on the counter and a long ball found Arukau who added her third in the 60th minute. Despite some chances from Tupapa, led by Te Upoko Tuariki and Victoria Fatiaki, the Eels finished the game with a comfortable win in the opening match. Arukau turned provider deep in stoppage time, her excellent cross from the left-hand side finished from close range by Agnes Gitoli to complete a fine opening day for the Solomon Islanders. Henderson Eels will face Ba Women FC in their second match on Wednesday (Tahiti time), whilst Tupapa Maraerenga will meet Ba Women FC on Saturday (Tahiti time).
