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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
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Hekari Womens FC Advance To The OFC Women's Champions League Final
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Level at 1-1 going into the break, Hekari came out strong in the second half. Talismanic striker Marie Kaipu was played through on goal and beating the advancing Mereseni Waqali at the near post to restore her sides lead. Hekari Womens FC are through to their second straight OFC Women's Champions League final after a 6-1 win over Ba Women FC in the first semi-final at Stade Pater in Papeete. The Papua New Guinea side turned in their best performance of the tournament in a dominant display and 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. Level at 1-1 going into the break, Hekari came out strong in the second half. Talismanic striker Marie Kaipu was played through on goal and beating the advancing Mereseni Waqali at the near post to restore her side's lead. Just two minutes later, Kaipu broke through again—this time squaring the ball to an unmarked Nenny Elipas, who tapped it home for her second goal of the match. Four minutes later Kaipu had another assist, setting up Elipas again who made no mistake for her hat-trick. Kaipu scored her second of the game in the 69th minute, her seventh of the competition, a header after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar. Phylis Pala rounded out the scoring from the penalty spot five minutes from fulltime. The match had started with Hekari scoring in the 5th minute following a mistake by Ba goalkeeper Mereseni Waqali which allowed Elipas to pounce and slot the ball home into an empty net. Michaelyne Butubu then had a chance to double the lead in the 11th minute, but her attempt was blocked by the Ba defence. Romona Padio then missed an opportunity in the 15th minute when she lost control of the ball inside the box with the Ba Women FC defence at sixes and sevens. Hekari paid for their ineptitude in front of goal as Ba with their first foray deep into their opponents half won a penalty after a mistake by Gloria Laeli in the Hekari Womens FC goal. Captain Luisa Tamanitoakula made no mistake from the spot. Waqali then made up for her early mistake with two brilliant saves to deny Kaipu and Butubu on the stroke of half-time. BA Women FC 1 (Luisa TAMANITOAKULA 44'pen)
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Hekari Womens FC Advance To The OFC Women's Champions League Final
Hekari Womens FC are through to their second straight OFC Women's Champions League final after a 6-1 win over Ba Women FC in the first semi-final at Stade Pater in Papeete. The Papua New Guinea side turned in their best performance of the tournament in a dominant display and 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. Level at 1-1 going into the break, Hekari came out strong in the second half. Talismanic striker Marie Kaipu was played through on goal and beating the advancing Mereseni Waqali at the near post to restore her side's lead. Just two minutes later, Kaipu broke through again—this time squaring the ball to an unmarked Nenny Elipas, who tapped it home for her second goal of the match. Four minutes later Kaipu had another assist, setting up Elipas again who made no mistake for her hat-trick. Kaipu scored her second of the game in the 69th minute, her seventh of the competition, a header after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar. Phylis Pala rounded out the scoring from the penalty spot five minutes from fulltime. The match had started with Hekari scoring in the 5th minute following a mistake by Ba goalkeeper Mereseni Waqali which allowed Elipas to pounce and slot the ball home into an empty net. Michaelyne Butubu then had a chance to double the lead in the 11th minute, but her attempt was blocked by the Ba defence. Romona Padio then missed an opportunity in the 15th minute when she lost control of the ball inside the box with the Ba Women FC defence at sixes and sevens. Hekari paid for their ineptitude in front of goal as Ba with their first foray deep into their opponents half won a penalty after a mistake by Gloria Laeli in the Hekari Womens FC goal. Captain Luisa Tamanitoakula made no mistake from the spot. Waqali then made up for her early mistake with two brilliant saves to deny Kaipu and Butubu on the stroke of half-time. BA Women FC 1 (Luisa TAMANITOAKULA 44'pen)
