Latest news with #OFCWomensChampionsLeague2025
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
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United Secure The Top Spot In Group B After An 11-0 Win Against PanSa
Press Release – OFC Auckland United have clinched top spot in Group B after a comprehensive 11-0 win over PanSa at the OFC Womens Champions League 2025 in Tahiti. The defending champions will face Henderson Eels FC from the Solomon Islands in Wednesdays (Tahiti time) … The New Zealand champions were a class above the American Samoan team who fought gallantly throughout but were unable to match their more skilful, quicker opponents. Auckland United FC coach Ben Bate made nine changes to the side which beat Hekari Womens FC 2-1 last week with an eye to resting some of his first choice eleven for the semis. PanSa adopted a low block on defence from the outset and seldom managed to get out of their half as the Auckland United side attacked from the first minute and maintained the pressure throughout the 90-minute contest. Chloe Knott with a quality finish opened the scoring in the 6th minute, but it took another 13 minutes of relentless attack before the New Zealanders doubled their lead. Ariana Vosper was brought down in the box and Ava Pritchard made no mistake from the penalty spot. Two minutes later Knott had her second goal after a pinpoint cross from Alexis Cook, before captain Jess Philpott unleashed a thunderbolt into the top of the net barely a minute later. Knott scrambled the ball across the line from close range for her hat-trick in the 30th minute. 14-year-old Vosper making her tournament debut scored the sixth goal five minutes before the break to round out the first half scoring. The relentless pressure continued in the second half with substitute Pia Vlok grabbing the seventh goal for Auckland United FC in the 51st minute. But to their credit PanSa never gave up and it took until the 81st minute for Auckland United FC to add to their tally, through Ariana Vosper's older sister, second half substitute Saskia Vosper. Further goals came through Vlok with two more for her hat-trick and Kate McConnell. Vlok playing just the second half earned the player of the match honours. For PanSa, goalkeeper Rayxena Foma'i turned in another impressive performance, maintaining her concentration and making a number of saves which helped prevent the score from blowing out further.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Ba Women FC Secure Semi-final Place With Victory Over Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Ba Women FC have defeated Tupapa Maraerenga FC 3-1 at Stade Fautua, sealing progression to the semi-finals of OFC Womens Champions League 2025. Three first half goals did the job for Ba, all inside the first 23 minutes, and they held on to their lead for the remainder to claim top spot in Group A, ahead of Henderson Eels FC. The odds were always stacked against Tupapa Maraerenga to progress, needing a four-goal win to deny Ba a place in the last four, and reach the semi-finals themselves. That task became close to impossible just four minutes into the contest, Koleta Likuculacula running in-behind the defence and slotting the ball past the keeper to open the scoring for the Fijian side. Tupapa fought for a response, but despite a double save from goalkeeper Rianna Pepe, Ulamila Rasovasova doubled Ba's lead in the 22nd minute, and Likuculacula scored her second almost straight from the restart sixty seconds later. Asenaca Naio had the chance to add another ten minutes before the break, but had her shot blocked after breaking into the box. Ba remained on top through the second half, with the impressive Likuculacula testing the gloves of Pepe soon after the resumption of play with an acrobatic effort. Again the keeper denied Likuculacula moments later, turning a header onto the left post with a strong right hand. Captain Luisa Tamanitoakula came within inches from a direct free kick off the left flank, only to be blocked by a strong header from Penina Katuke off the goal-line. Chances were limited for Tupapa Maraerenga throughout, but they made a late push for a consolation goal to end their campaign on a high note. It came in the 79th minute – Kayleen Kermode turning home a corner delivery off the left flank to score the team's only goal of the tournament. Likuculacula had another opportunity to finish her hat-trick late on, but was once again denied by Pepe. A clash with the runners-up from Group B in the semi-finals now awaits on Wednesday for Ba, with Tupapa Maraerenga exiting the tournament at the group stage.
