Auckland United FC secure back-to-back titles at the OFC Women's Champions League
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.
Hekari Women FC 0
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
a day ago
- 1News
TVNZ to show netball's ANZ Premiership in 2026
Netball fans across the country can look forward to a thrilling return to the court in 2026 with the domestic ANZ Premiership competition to be shown exclusively on TVNZ platforms. Beginning in April, the 2026 season will feature 30 round robin matches played over 12 weeks by six domestic teams, followed by two finals matches. Games will air on weekends, including new rule innovations such as the captain's timeout and two-point shot continuing. In an announcement today, Netball New Zealand and TVNZ revealed the new partnership would bring the domestic netball season to screens nationwide via TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Building on the match-of-the-week offering this year, the expanded broadcast would offer TVNZ's expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and exclusive courtside access a key feature of the expanded partnership. ADVERTISEMENT Beginning in April, the 2026 season will feature 30 round robin matches played over 12 weeks. (Source: 1News) TVNZ chief executive Jodi O'Donnell told 1News the deal marked a major step for live and free sport with hopes for a long-term partnership. "It's been really great that TVNZ has been able to work with Netball New Zealand over the last two years with having a match of the week, and I think that's been really good to showcase the power of free-to-air." Asked whether TVNZ had paid for the rights to the netball, O'Donnell said that information was "commercially sensitive" but emphasised the strong audience response. "We've had over half a million New Zealanders watching our netball games already this year so I think, from an audience perspective, I say New Zealand audiences are in for a treat." Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, describing it as a "fantastic outcome" for fans. "Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. ADVERTISEMENT "Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide." TVNZ head of sports, events and partnerships Melodie Robinson said netball was one of the country's most popular codes and the broadcaster was "excited" to have the rights to the national domestic competition. "Our netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend."
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Bev Priestman joins Wellington Phoenix women as head coach
As assistant coach, she helped the England Lionesses to the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup semifinal and has been shortlisted twice for the Fifa's Best Women's Coach award. Bev Priestman: 'Sport has the ability to connect a country.' Photo / Getty Images Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said the club is thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. 'Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix,' Morrison said. 'This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women's team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women's academy programme, we have doubled our investment in the women's first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players. 'Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. 'Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia.' Priestman is no stranger to the New Zealand Football (NZF). Between 2009 and 2013 she was NZF's head of football. She's also married to former Football Fern Emma Humphries, who currently heads up the Phoenix academy. 'We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,' Morrison said. 'We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. 'Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix.' Priestman hopes her Phoenix women's team can capture the imagination of New Zealanders. 'Sport has the ability to connect a country, not just in what you do but more importantly, how you do it. 'There'll be a hunger and a desire there because we know we want to achieve a first for this club and to do that is going to take something special. 'There are a lot of different factors that go into winning, but first and foremost, it's a given when you put on the shirt that you work hard. I'll work harder than ever and the Phoenix will work harder than any other team. 'On the pitch, I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats. 'I think that brings out the best in people and that's all I want to do is get the best out of both players and staff and create something special on the football pitch.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
ANZ Premiership Returns in 2026 to TVNZ
Get ready for a thrilling return to the court – with the ANZ Premiership competition airing exclusively on TVNZ in 2026. Netball New Zealand and TVNZ have today announced a partnership that will see the domestic season shown across TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ next year. The 2026 season will showcase the best of New Zealand's domestic netball teams, with elite athletes, epic clashes, and high-stakes match ups broadcast to audiences nationwide. The comprehensive coverage will build on TVNZ's match-of-the-week offering, this year. TVNZ's expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and exclusive courtside access will continue to be a key feature of the expanded partnership. TVNZ is committed to delivering high-quality local sport to New Zealanders and showcasing women's sport across the motu. TVNZ's Head of Sports, Events and Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, said: 'Netball is one of New Zealand's most popular codes and we're excited to have the national domestic competition with TVNZ. Our Netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend.' Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie has welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, calling it a fantastic outcome for fans of a sport that continues to thrive across the country. 'Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide.' With the popular rule innovations introduced this year, including the captain's timeout and the game changing two-point shot set to remain, viewers can look forward to even more thrilling netball action across Saturdays and Sundays when the competition returns in April. The 2026 ANZ Premiership will follow the two-round format, played between the six domestic teams across the motu before the Finals Series. There will be 30 round robin matches and two finals over a 12-week period.
