Latest news with #OFCWomen'sNationsCup
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Resolute Tahitian Defence Secures Draw Setting Up Exciting Final Day Of Group A Action
Ericson Komeng's side knew that a win today would see them become the first side to make the 2025 OFC Women's Nations Cup knockout stages, while a Tahiti victory would see them go into the final day of group play leading Group A and the defending champions with work to do against Cook Islands. Komeng made two changes to his side, with Marie Kaipu ruled out altogether with an arm injury, while Keren Kalapai was on the bench, as Nenny Elipas and Charlie Yanding started. Xavier Samin, meanwhile, made three changes, with Tihiura Tahutini, Kohai Mai and Anavai Taaviri getting their first starts of the tournament while Julienne Naomi, Vahinetua Tuiho and Hereana Brothers dropped to the bench. The opening half an hour proved an evenly matched affair, with Tahiti's defence, expertly organized by captain Gwendoline Fournier, refusing to let the star-studded PNG attack settle into their rhythm by crowding the holders out of their penalty area who were missing the relentless threat of their Talisman Marie Kaipu. As in their opening game, Haranui Le Gayic posed a constant threat from the Tahitian midfield, with her deft touches and probing runs looking the most likely source of a Tahitian breakthrough - and it came just before half time. Le Gayic broke away on a rare Tahitian counterattack to win a penalty for her side, drawing the foul in the penalty area from Raynata Samuel. Kiani Wong stepped up to fire home past Lavina Hola to see Tahiti take the lead into half time. Unsurprisingly, PNG came out swinging in the second half, and their determination paid off almost instantly. Combining well with Padio, Charlie Yanding found herself in a rare patch of space in the Tahitian penalty area with time to set herself up for the shot, but Camille Andre was equal to the danger, and it proved a simple stop. PNG secured their equalizer in the 51st minute. Padio floated over an inch-perfect corner to be met by Samuel, whose powerful header left Andre with no chance. Parity restored and a renewed sense of confidence PNG went in search of a winner, with their high backline effectively patrolling the halfway line and seeing the remainder of PNG camped out in the Tahitian half. But despite the spatial dominance, Papua New Guinea were unable to find the final cutting edge, and Tahiti's resolute defending secured both a vital point and an exciting conclusion to the Group A action on Thursday. HT: 0-1
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Samoa Secure First Win Of 2025 OFC Women's Nations Cup
A comfortable 3-0 win over Cook Islands sees Samoa keep progression to the knockout stages in sight. Both coaches made a number of changes to their starting XIs after the opening game. Juan Chang Urrea made five, with second half goalkeeper Xeyana Salanoa replacing Kamy Anaya, and Lianna Soifua, Lilly Dowsing, Mia Afoa and Brianna Kitiona starting in place of Alisa Tuatagaloa, Sarah Taeaoalii, Gracie Va'afusuaga and Alexandrea Ape-Paia. Angela Wallbank, meanwhile, started Te Upoko Tuariki, Ngamata Moekaa, and Claudean Robati in place of Penina Katuke, Teretia Teinaki, and Lee Maoate-Cox. Buoyed by their late showing against holders Papua New Guinea on matchday one, Samoa picked up where they left off making the early running, calling Cook Islands shotstopper Courtney Napa into action with a couple of straightforward saves. The Samoan dominance was a sign of things to come, and they opened the scoring through Xevani Salanoa in the third minute. Oteta Kitiona pounced on a poorly controlled ball and laid off to the matchday one goalscorer to unleash a rocket of a shot past an outstretched Napa. Nine minutes later Samoa doubled their lead. Lilly Dowsing, in her first start of the tournament, received the crossfield ball in acres of space, and had the time to pick her spot tom thump the ball past an outstretched Courtney Napa. Shortly before the cooling break, Samoa were forced into an early change after goalscorer Salanoa was injured in a collision with Napa. Samoa added a third 13 minutes after the restart, with half time substitute Monique Fischer combining with Arianna Skeers to put the game beyond doubt with a sharp finish. Cook Islands searched in vain for a way back into the game, with Ally Toailoa in particular toiling hard in midfield, they but were unable to breach the Xeyana Salanoa-marshalled defence. They will need to find a result against reigning champions Papua New Guinea in their final Group A game to stand any chance of making the knockout rounds for a second successive OFC Women's Nations Cup. HT: 0-2 Cook Islands: 0
Scoop
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Group B Teams Finalise Preparations For OFC Women's Nations Cup
With eight overseas-based players in her squad, Fiji head coach Angeline Chua is confident her team has what it takes to lift the trophy at the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, which kicks off tomorrow in Fiji. Group B teams, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, are putting the finishing touches on their preparations ahead of their opening matches on Saturday at Suva's HFC Bank Stadium. At this morning's pre-tournament media conference, held at the Fiji FA headquarters, Chua spoke about the pride and motivation of playing in front of a home crowd. 'In Fiji, we love sports, and we love to host. It's so important for the players to have their families and fans there supporting them,' said Chua. 'Playing at home gives us a unique advantage, and we're determined to make the most of it.' Chua also reflected on the importance of Fiji's recent international friendlies against Papua New Guinea. 'Those matches were crucial for our development. It's tough for Oceania teams to get regular matches during FIFA windows, unlike other regions where countries are closer together. But international exposure is vital if we want to perform on the bigger stage,' she said. 'Travelling to PNG and coming away with positive results gave us belief and helped us assess where we stand ahead of this tournament.' Solomon Islands coach Moses Toata is overseeing a squad featuring several players from Henderson Eels, who reached the semi-finals of the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti in May. 'We're excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the region,' said Toata. 'Preparation has gone well, but we need to stay focused – especially for our opening match against Fiji.' Tonga head coach Kilifi Uele, a seasoned figure in the Pacific football scene, has blended local talent with a handful of US-based players in a youthful squad. 'This is one of the youngest senior teams we've fielded, many are from the U-19 side that qualified for the OFC U-19 Women's Championship for the first time,' said Uele. 'We also have eight overseas players joining us, which is a big boost. Our goal is to reach the semi-finals.' Vanuatu, guided by Jean-Robert Yelou, enter the tournament with quiet confidence after a focused domestic build-up in Port Vila. Several players hail from the Penama Tigers, late withdrawals from May's OFC Women's Champions League, and others from the U-19 national side. 'Our preparation has had its challenges, but the women's league is back up and running, and there's growing commitment at home,' Yelou said. 'We're excited to show what we can do.' Beyond regional pride, the OFC Women's Nations Cup carries additional importance: valuable FIFA ranking points are at stake, which will influence seeding for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers, beginning in the Cook Islands later this year. Group A action kicks off tomorrow in Lautoka, with Cook Islands facing Tahiti in the tournament opener at Churchill Park, followed by defending champions Papua New Guinea taking on Samoa.
