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RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
OFC Women's Champions League: Auckland United, Hekari FC cruise into final
Defending champions Auckland United FC and Papua New Guinea's Hekari Women's FC will clash in the final of the 2025 OFC Women's Champions League on Saturday. 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+.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Defending champions Auckland United FC have blitzed Henderson Eels FC 6-1 at Stade Pater in Papeete to reach the final of the OFC Womens Champions League 2025 for the second straight year. The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. 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 FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick 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. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. 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 FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick 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. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. 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 FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick 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. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
BA Women FC Kick Off Their OFC Women's Champions League Campaign With A Win!
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half have helped BA Women FC defeat Henderson Eels FC 2-0 to kick off their OFC Womens Champions League campaign in style. The Fijian side which had been largely second best in the opening stanza, came to life after the break with two clinical finishes from Koleta Likuculacula and Asenaca Naio in the 65th and 68th minutes. Despite the loss, the team from the Solomon Islands are confirmed in the semi-finals thanks to their 5-0 win over Tupapa Mararenga in the opening match of the tournament. Henderson Eels had largely dominated in midfield and appeared more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock as the match wore on. Lorina Solosaia had the best opportunity to put the Eels in front in the 54th minute when she was put through on goal, but the advancing Mereseini Waqali in the BA goal forced her to shoot just wide. Waqali proved to be a hero for BA Women FC making a string of fantastic saves in the first half. After 12 minutes when the always dangerous Ileen Pegy weaved her way into the box, her right footed effort was hit straight at Waqali, But a minute later Pegi orchestrated an attack down the right and pulled the ball back inside the box for Veronica Tolivaka to fire at goal, with Waqali diving to her right to make a wonderful save. 20 minutes in and BA Women worked the ball well down the right and Koleta Likuculacula laid the ball off to Evivi Buka whose long range attempt was well struck but went just wide of the post. Waqali then produced the save of the first half to deny Henderson Eels from a free kick in the 29th minute tipping the ball over the crossbar and keeping her side level at the break. Despite the loss Henderson Eels are through to the semi finals. Tupapa Maraerenga will need to beat BA Women FC by four goals on Saturday (Tahiti time) to qualify and deny the Fijian side a semi-final place.
