Vanuatu Win Final Group Game But Lose Out On Semi-Final Place To Fiji
The Kulas were buoyed by the return of Trina Davis to the starting lineup, and Davis immediately made her presence known with her pace down the right wing. However, they were rocked early on when captain Jotivini Tabua was sent off in the 19th minute for violent conduct after a challenge with Nellie Vuti.
Vanuatu goal machine Leimata Simon scored the only goal of the game with a wonderful strike in the 31st minute. Spotting Emily Esposito off her line, Simon had the strength and composure to set herself up and arrow her shot into the top right corner, cementing her place at the top of the golden boot standings and turning up the pressure on the hosts, who were now a player and a goal down.
Five minutes before half time Nasau almost brought Fiji level with a wonder goal, sweetly striking a half volley from a tight angle, which just sailed over the bar.
Both sides had opportunities in the second half, but neither were able to make them count. Fiji's best opportunity came early in the half through Davis, using her pace to latch onto a long ball, but Vanuatu goalkeeper Amelia Reddy was wise to the danger and off her line quickly to shut the forward down, who opted to shoot rather than play in second half substitute Narieta Leba.
Simon was fouled in the 87th minute, seemingly handing Vanuatu their last real opportunity to get into the semi-finals. Henriette Sangul's free kick sailed harmlessly over Esposito's crossbar.
Vanuatu threw players forward in search of the goal that would take them into the semi-finals, but despite having had the numerical advantage for most of the game they were unable to find the goal they needed.
Fiji, meanwhile, while relieved to have survived, must now play Papua New Guinea in a rematch of the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2022 final.
Solomon Islands finish top of Group B and will take on Samoa in the semi-finals of the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, Vanuatu will play Tahiti in the 5th place play off, and Tonga will take on the Cook Islands for the 7th place play off.
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