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Scoop
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Melanesian Showdown: Papua New Guinea And Solomon Islands Set For Historic OFC Women's Nations Cup Final
Press Release – OFC Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nations football history. The stage is set for a thrilling OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 final, as Melanesian heavyweights Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands prepare to battle for regional glory. Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nation's football history. The defending champions booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Fiji, with head coach Ericson Komeng praising his team's resilience. 'We've learned a lot from that game — it was all about hard work for the girls,' said Komeng. 'There's no pressure in the team, we respect Solomon Islands. They're got great football back home, with their National League. For the PNG team, we are looking forward to playing against the Solomon Islands. 'The girls have to stay focused, we believe in teamwork and we know hard work will get us there.' Captain Ramona Padio echoed her coach's message. 'For us, Solomon Islands are a good side too. And we just have to follow our coach and work hard.' Solomon Islands reached the final after a gripping 2-1 semi-final win over Samoa, a result that sparked celebrations across the nation. Head coach Moses Toata is proud of his team's journey and the opportunity to make history. 'After winning the semi-final it was a great feeling to finally make it to the finals. In the camp, the girls are excited,' said Toata. 'To reach the finals for the Solomon Islands women's team is history for us. I believe all the girls feel the same, for all their hard work and everything they put into preparation for this team.' Captain and talisman Ileen Pegi is ready for the challenge and respectful of the opposition. 'I know PNG are fighting to defend their title, so for us, we're going to go out there and work hard. I'm just humbled and proud to have this privilege to be a leader of the team, keep inspiring them. It's history for us.' With national pride and a major title on the line, Saturday's final promises passion, intensity, and history in the making for both teams.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Melanesian Showdown: Papua New Guinea And Solomon Islands Set For Historic OFC Women's Nations Cup Final
The stage is set for a thrilling OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 final, as Melanesian heavyweights Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands prepare to battle for regional glory. Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nation's football history. The defending champions booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Fiji, with head coach Ericson Komeng praising his team's resilience. 'We've learned a lot from that game — it was all about hard work for the girls,' said Komeng. 'There's no pressure in the team, we respect Solomon Islands. They're got great football back home, with their National League. For the PNG team, we are looking forward to playing against the Solomon Islands. 'The girls have to stay focused, we believe in teamwork and we know hard work will get us there.' Captain Ramona Padio echoed her coach's message. 'For us, Solomon Islands are a good side too. And we just have to follow our coach and work hard.' Solomon Islands reached the final after a gripping 2-1 semi-final win over Samoa, a result that sparked celebrations across the nation. Head coach Moses Toata is proud of his team's journey and the opportunity to make history. 'After winning the semi-final it was a great feeling to finally make it to the finals. In the camp, the girls are excited,' said Toata. 'To reach the finals for the Solomon Islands women's team is history for us. I believe all the girls feel the same, for all their hard work and everything they put into preparation for this team.' Captain and talisman Ileen Pegi is ready for the challenge and respectful of the opposition. 'I know PNG are fighting to defend their title, so for us, we're going to go out there and work hard. I'm just humbled and proud to have this privilege to be a leader of the team, keep inspiring them. It's history for us." With national pride and a major title on the line, Saturday's final promises passion, intensity, and history in the making for both teams.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Group A Teams Ready For OFC Women's Nations Cup Kick-Off In Lautoka
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Papua New Guineas head coach Ericsson Komeng, who recently led Hekari United Women to the final of the OFC Womens Champions League in Tahiti, returns to guide the national team as they defend the title they claimed in Fiji in 2022. Final preparations are underway for the four Group A teams ahead of the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, with match day one set to kick off at Lautoka's Churchill Park this Friday. This morning, the head coaches and captains of Cook Islands, defending champions Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti came together at a pre-tournament media conference in Lautoka, sharing their thoughts on the competition and their opening matches. Papua New Guinea's head coach Ericsson Komeng, who recently led Hekari United Women to the final of the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti, returns to guide the national team as they defend the title they claimed in Fiji in 2022. 'It's going to be tough,' Komeng admitted. 'The two friendlies against Fiji [last month] gave us a lot to think about. The girls were a bit down after the second loss, but I have a quality side and I'm confident.' Captain Ramona Padio returns to bolster the side from the ankle injury she suffered in the OFC Women's Champions League semi-finals and missed the recent Fiji friendlies, bringing experience and leadership back to the squad. But first choice goalkeeper Faith Kasiray has been ruled out with a wrist injury suffered in training before the side departed for Fiji. Komeng is expecting a strong challenge in their opener against Samoa. 'They're a quality side, and that first match is very important for us,' he said. Samoa is led by head coach Juan Chang Urrea, who has been instrumental in shaping the country's women's football programme, coaching the U-16, U-19, and senior women's teams. Later this year, he will take Samoa's U-17 side to their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. 'A lot of our girls represent Samoa from outside the country,' said Chang Urrea. 'This tournament will be a great learning experience. We know what the goal is, but we're focusing on taking things day by day.' Samoa brings a well-balanced team with a mix of youth and experience, with their clash Papua New Guinea clash an early litmus test for their campaign. Angela Wallbank will lead the Cook Islands, having coached Tupapa Maraerenga at the OFC Women's Champions League in May. Several players have been recruited from clubs in New Zealand, while one has joined from Perth. 'The biggest takeaway from the Champions League was seeing how other teams were structured,' Wallbank said. 'Now, with the ability to bring in players from New Zealand and Australia, we've added depth and balance across the park. That should help us counter some of the threats we identified in Tahiti.' Tahiti's squad, coached by Xavier Samin, includes six players from AS Pirae, who made their debut at the OFC Women's Champions League in May. The team's build-up has been challenging, with players juggling club commitments up until their departure for Fiji. 'With the team we have, we hope to go as far as possible,' said Samin. 'The Champions League in Tahiti gave us the chance to observe a lot of the players now in this tournament, so we have a good idea of the level of competition in the Pacific.' Group A action begins on Friday, with the Cook Islands taking on Tahiti in the tournament opener, followed by defending champions Papua New Guinea facing Samoa in the second match of the day. Full match schedule:
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Group A Teams Ready For OFC Women's Nations Cup Kick-Off In Lautoka
Final preparations are underway for the four Group A teams ahead of the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, with match day one set to kick off at Lautoka's Churchill Park this Friday. This morning, the head coaches and captains of Cook Islands, defending champions Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti came together at a pre-tournament media conference in Lautoka, sharing their thoughts on the competition and their opening matches. Papua New Guinea's head coach Ericsson Komeng, who recently led Hekari United Women to the final of the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti, returns to guide the national team as they defend the title they claimed in Fiji in 2022. 'It's going to be tough,' Komeng admitted. 'The two friendlies against Fiji [last month] gave us a lot to think about. The girls were a bit down after the second loss, but I have a quality side and I'm confident.' Captain Ramona Padio returns to bolster the side from the ankle injury she suffered in the OFC Women's Champions League semi-finals and missed the recent Fiji friendlies, bringing experience and leadership back to the squad. But first choice goalkeeper Faith Kasiray has been ruled out with a wrist injury suffered in training before the side departed for Fiji. Komeng is expecting a strong challenge in their opener against Samoa. 'They're a quality side, and that first match is very important for us,' he said. Samoa is led by head coach Juan Chang Urrea, who has been instrumental in shaping the country's women's football programme, coaching the U-16, U-19, and senior women's teams. Later this year, he will take Samoa's U-17 side to their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. 'A lot of our girls represent Samoa from outside the country,' said Chang Urrea. 'This tournament will be a great learning experience. We know what the goal is, but we're focusing on taking things day by day.' Samoa brings a well-balanced team with a mix of youth and experience, with their clash Papua New Guinea clash an early litmus test for their campaign. Angela Wallbank will lead the Cook Islands, having coached Tupapa Maraerenga at the OFC Women's Champions League in May. Several players have been recruited from clubs in New Zealand, while one has joined from Perth. 'The biggest takeaway from the Champions League was seeing how other teams were structured,' Wallbank said. 'Now, with the ability to bring in players from New Zealand and Australia, we've added depth and balance across the park. That should help us counter some of the threats we identified in Tahiti.' Tahiti's squad, coached by Xavier Samin, includes six players from AS Pirae, who made their debut at the OFC Women's Champions League in May. The team's build-up has been challenging, with players juggling club commitments up until their departure for Fiji. 'With the team we have, we hope to go as far as possible,' said Samin. 'The Champions League in Tahiti gave us the chance to observe a lot of the players now in this tournament, so we have a good idea of the level of competition in the Pacific.' Group A action begins on Friday, with the Cook Islands taking on Tahiti in the tournament opener, followed by defending champions Papua New Guinea facing Samoa in the second match of the day. Full match schedule:
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Hekari Womens FC Kick Off Campaign With Impressive Win
Papua New Guinea champions Hekari Womens FC have made the perfect start to their OFC Women's Champions League campaign with a commanding 12-0 win over American Samoa's PanSa. The Port Moresby-based powerhouse side are determined to go one better after consecutive runner-up finishes in the competition, and made their intentions clear from the outset against the tournament debutants. It didn't take long for Ericsson Komeng's side to find their rhythm. Romona Padio who missed last year's tournament in Solomon Islands showed her class with a powerful finish for the opening goal in the fourth minute. Hekari squandered a couple of chances before striker and captain Marie Kaipu bagged the first of four goals in the 16th minute, with her second coming two minutes later. Calista Maneo headed home the fourth goal in the 21st minute before Kaipu completed her hat-trick in the 25th and scored her fourth two minutes later. PanSa had started the match marking one on one, but coach Diane Justus reverted to more of a low block midway through the half and the tactic helped stem the flow of goals. In fact Hekari spent the remainder of the half largely frustrated by their inability to continue to penetrate the defence before a long-range effort from Michaelyne Butubu squeezed past Rayxena Foma'i in the PanSa goal. Foma'i to her credit made some terrific saves throughout the match, keeping Hekari from adding considerably to their total. Komeng made a raft of changes at halftime to give squad members a run ahead of what will be a much more demanding second match in Group B against defending champions Auckland United on Thursday (local Tahiti time). It took a quarter of an hour for Hekari to add to their tally, and it was a lovely finish from Adi Litia Bakaniceva who squeezed the ball under the advancing Foma'i. Substitute Nenny Elipas then scored arguably the best goal of the game in the 63rd minute with an exquisite right footed finish before a mistake from Foma'i was pounced on by Padio for her second of the game three minutes later. The midfielder had her hattrick in the 75th minute as Hekari showed they are capable of changing gears when needed. Kaipu added her fifth deep into stoppage time, firing high into the roof of the net to complete the scoring. PanSa FC: 0 Hekari Womens FC: 12 ( Romona PADIO 4', 66, 75, Marie KAIPU 16', 18', 25, 27' 90+5, Calista MANEO 21', Michaelyne BUTUBU 45+3', Adi Litia BAKANICEVA 60', Nenny ELIPAS 63')
