Latest news with #AucklandUnited
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Auckland United FC win Oceania Women's Champions League final
Chloe Knott provided the final pass for Auckland's only goal. Photo: Photosport Auckland United FC will play in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year, after beating Papua New Guinea side Hekari 1-0 in the Oceania final in Papeete, Tahiti. Auckland United retained their OFC Women's Champions League title with the victory and will play the Asian champions in a playoff next year, with the winners to face the African confederation winners in round two. They are also well placed to be the Oceania representative at the first FIFA Club World Cup in 2028. Hekari Women's FC proved tough opponents at Stade Pater, with the Aucklanders scoring the match's sole goal in the 26th minute, after dominating the early changes. Midfielder Danielle Canham scored the goal, after Yume Harashima drove the ball into the box and Chloe Knott provided a back-heeled ball pass. They came close to scoring a few more goals, but Hekari amped up their attacking game early in the second half, really testing the defence of the Ben Bate-coached side. They passed that test and then dominated the final 15 minutes to secure the win. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend's final at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti. The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year. The New Zealand champions edged a competitive Group B match 2-1 last week, and the two sides are deserving finalists having been a class above their other opponents in the tournament. Both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time. (Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.) 'We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure.' Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. ' We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.' He added. Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. 'With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best.' Komeng said. Goal scoring hasn't been a problem for either side at the tournmaent with both teams winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals. Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back. 'Yeah, we're really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone's looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they're going to come out physical, they're going to come out strong and they're going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.' Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament's golden boot with Auckland United's Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain. 'Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.' The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
Press Release – OFC Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend's final at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti. The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year. The New Zealand champions edged a competitive Group B match 2-1 last week, and the two sides are deserving finalists having been a class above their other opponents in the tournament. Both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time. (Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.) 'We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure.' Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. ' We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.' He added. Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. 'With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best.' Komeng said. Goal scoring hasn't been a problem for either side at the tournmaent with both teams winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals. Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back. 'Yeah, we're really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone's looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they're going to come out physical, they're going to come out strong and they're going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.' Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament's golden boot with Auckland United's Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain. 'Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.' The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend's final at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti. The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year. The New Zealand champions edged a competitive Group B match 2-1 last week, and the two sides are deserving finalists having been a class above their other opponents in the tournament. Both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time. (Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.) 'We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure." Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. " We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.' He added. Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. 'With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best." Komeng said. Goal scoring hasn't been a problem for either side at the tournmaent with both teams winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals. Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back. 'Yeah, we're really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone's looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they're going to come out physical, they're going to come out strong and they're going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.' Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament's golden boot with Auckland United's Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain. 'Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.' The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two. The match is LIVE and FREE on FIFA+ link here
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Two-time runners up Hekari United out to topple Auckland United and secure the OFC Women's Champions League title at last
The players from Papua New Guinea's leading women's soccer team, Hekari United, will be on a mission this weekend when they play Auckland United in the OFC Women's Champions League final in Tahiti. And they'll be hoping that third time lucky works for them, after finishing runners-up in the previous two tournaments, and after losing their previous two encounters against Auckland by a single goal. In last year's final the NZ team won 1-nil, and in the group stage this year, they again got the better of the PNG outfit, this time by two goals to one. There's no doubt that the two best teams have made the decider, with the other five way off the pace and losing games by big margins, but can Hekari find a way to topple the Kiwis? Matt Manukuo from the OFC media team says Auckland are wary of their opponents, and Hekari are certainly in with a chance.
