Latest news with #OFCWomensChampionsLeague
Scoop
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC secure back-to-back titles at the OFC Women's Champions League
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Auckland United FC have retained their OFC Womens Champions League title with a hard fought 1-0 win over Hekari Womens FC in the final at Stade Pater in Papeete. The New Zealand champions scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute through midfielder Danielle Canham and withstood plenty of pressure from the Papua New Guinea side in the second half but kept their composure in defence to secure the win. For Hekari Womens FC it's a bitter pill to swallow, having lost the final last year in Honiara by the same score. Ericsson Komeng's side had suffered a major blow before kick-off with playmaker Ramona Padio ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury suffered in the semi-final win over Ba Women FC. Without Padio, Hekari were a distant second best in the opening half as Auckland United FC came out with real intent and dominated the midfield exchanges. They came close to taking the lead in the opening minute when Danielle Canham thundered a shot against the crossbar. Striker Zoe Benson fired just wide of the left hand upright in the 15th minute after finding herself clear inside the box as the New Zealanders quickly found their rhythm. Up front for Hekari Marie Kaipu found herself largely isolated on attack and unable to test Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United goal. Auckland United FC deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute when a corner the ball was played out to Yume Harashima who drove the ball into the box. Chloe Knott back heeled the ball into Canham who got a touch, and the ball somehow squeezed past Gloria Laeli in the Hekari Womens FC goal. The Kiwis should have doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when Laeli spilled the ball and Knott fired over the bar when she could have placed the ball into the back of the net. Auckland United FC started the second half on the front foot with captain Talisha Green heading straight at Laeli five minutes in. Komeng made a couple of changes to his side, and it brought more urgency into Hekari's play as the match wore on. Their best chance to equalise came in the 64th minute when Kaipu threaded a ball through on goal to Nenny Elipas, but the advancing Mitchell made a strong save to deny the Hekari forward an equaliser. Hekari continued to surge forward but the final pass often went astray, and promising positions ultimately led to nothing. Auckland United controlled the last 15 minutes and ran down the clock effectively to secure a deserved victory. Ben Bate's side will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winner of that match visiting the CAF champions in round two. The New Zealanders are also well placed to be the Oceania representative at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup to be played in 2028.
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.
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
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
OFC Women's Champions League 2025 Semi-Finals Preview: Coaches Share Thoughts
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The stage is set for two thrilling semi-final showdowns at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti tomorrow. Holders Auckland United FC take on Henderson Eels FC after Ba Women FC and Hekari Womens FC meet in the first semi-final at Stade Pater in Papeete. Defending champions Auckland United FC head into their match with momentum from a strong group stage, but coach Ben Bate acknowledges there's still room for improvement. 'Our game against Hekari was a bit of a challenge,' Bate reflected. 'The energy and intensity they brought in the first half caught us off-guard. We made a few changes at halftime, and I think we really took control in the second period,' Bate added. With the Solomon Islands-based side known for its pace and spearheaded by the dangerous Ileen Pegi, Bate is approaching the match with caution and respect. 'We spent time in the Solomon Islands last year during the OFC Womens Champions League and got to know the Eels quite well. They're dangerous, especially with their quick transitions and pace up front — their front four are really bright and sharp,' Bate said. For Henderson Eels, their semi-final appearance marks a historic achievement, and head coach Priscilla Tariga is keeping the mood in camp calm and focused. 'It's history for us to reach the semi-finals,' Tariga said. 'Everyone is relaxed — there's no pressure. I've told the girls, 'We can do this.'' Facing the reigning champions is no easy task, but Tariga is determined her side will stick to their plan and give everything on the field. 'Auckland are the best team, as we know, but we will give it 100 percent. We'll keep our structure, manage our game plan, and play our game. Every minute must count.' While Auckland United are a strong favourite to progress to the Championship decider, the other semi-final has a more even look to it. Ba Women FC are making history of their own in their maiden OFC Women's Champions League campaign, and Charlene Lockington is proud of her team's journey as they prepare to face Hekari Women's FC. 'We're new to the competition, but we won't take it lightly,' Lockington stated. 'We respect Hekari — they're a tough side with two Fijians in their ranks — but we are looking forward to the challenge.' 'The girls are excited. We've already made history for our club by reaching the semis. We do have one injury we're managing, but a few fresh players will be brought in. Everyone is ready.' Ericsson Komeng is keeping his Hekari Womens FC squad focused on the task ahead as they prepare to face the determined Fijian outfit. 'The mood in the camp is positive,' Komeng said. 'After the win in the final Group match, the girls are looking forward to playing Ba. They are a strong team with quality players.' While a potential rematch with Auckland United looms in the final, Komeng is adamant the team's full focus remains on their semi-final battle. 'We can't look ahead. We don't go to the grand final unless we beat Ba. That's our only focus right now — to give Ba a good game and hopefully get the win.' Both matches can be watched LIVE and FREE on FIFA+.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
OFC Women's Champions League 2025 Semi-Finals Preview: Coaches Share Thoughts
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Defending champions Auckland United FC head into their match with momentum from a strong group stage, but coach Ben Bate acknowledges theres still room for improvement. The stage is set for two thrilling semi-final showdowns at the OFC Women's Champions League in Tahiti tomorrow. Holders Auckland United FC take on Henderson Eels FC after Ba Women FC and Hekari Womens FC meet in the first semi-final at Stade Pater in Papeete. Defending champions Auckland United FC head into their match with momentum from a strong group stage, but coach Ben Bate acknowledges there's still room for improvement. 'Our game against Hekari was a bit of a challenge,' Bate reflected. 'The energy and intensity they brought in the first half caught us off-guard. We made a few changes at halftime, and I think we really took control in the second period,' Bate added. With the Solomon Islands-based side known for its pace and spearheaded by the dangerous Ileen Pegi, Bate is approaching the match with caution and respect. 'We spent time in the Solomon Islands last year during the OFC Womens Champions League and got to know the Eels quite well. They're dangerous, especially with their quick transitions and pace up front — their front four are really bright and sharp,' Bate said. For Henderson Eels, their semi-final appearance marks a historic achievement, and head coach Priscilla Tariga is keeping the mood in camp calm and focused. 'It's history for us to reach the semi-finals,' Tariga said. 'Everyone is relaxed — there's no pressure. I've told the girls, 'We can do this.'' Facing the reigning champions is no easy task, but Tariga is determined her side will stick to their plan and give everything on the field. 'Auckland are the best team, as we know, but we will give it 100 percent. We'll keep our structure, manage our game plan, and play our game. Every minute must count.' While Auckland United are a strong favourite to progress to the Championship decider, the other semi-final has a more even look to it. Ba Women FC are making history of their own in their maiden OFC Women's Champions League campaign, and Charlene Lockington is proud of her team's journey as they prepare to face Hekari Women's FC. 'We're new to the competition, but we won't take it lightly,' Lockington stated. 'We respect Hekari — they're a tough side with two Fijians in their ranks — but we are looking forward to the challenge.' 'The girls are excited. We've already made history for our club by reaching the semis. We do have one injury we're managing, but a few fresh players will be brought in. Everyone is ready.' Ericsson Komeng is keeping his Hekari Womens FC squad focused on the task ahead as they prepare to face the determined Fijian outfit. 'The mood in the camp is positive,' Komeng said. 'After the win in the final Group match, the girls are looking forward to playing Ba. They are a strong team with quality players.' While a potential rematch with Auckland United looms in the final, Komeng is adamant the team's full focus remains on their semi-final battle. 'We can't look ahead. We don't go to the grand final unless we beat Ba. That's our only focus right now — to give Ba a good game and hopefully get the win.' Both matches can be watched LIVE and FREE on FIFA+.
