Latest news with #OFCWomen'sNationsCup2025
Scoop
3 days ago
- Sport
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Solomon Islands Write History With First OFC Women's Nations Cup Crown
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The Solomon Islands have defeated Papua New Guinea 3-2 after extra-time at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, winning the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 title, and their very-first continental crown. Thrice the Solomon Islands took the lead, but twice ten-man Papua New Guinea reeled them back in to force the game to extra-time, where substitute Jemina David scored the winner to secure a piece of history. In doing so, the Solomon Islands become the fifth different nation to win the OFC Women's Nations Cup, etching themselves into the record books for eternity. Playing in their first-ever OFC Women's Nations Cup final, the Solomon Islands weren't overawed by the occasion and got off to a hot start under the lights in Suva. Lorina Solosaia had scored the goal when the Solomon Islands held Papua New Guinea to a draw during the OFC Olympic qualifying tournament last year and was the first to have a say in the final. In the 18th minute she latched onto a loose ball through the middle of the pitch, before advancing into the box and rolling a shot into the bottom left corner of the net on her right foot, handing her nation a shock lead. It was almost two goals four minutes later, when Almah Gogoni was played in-behind the Papua New Guinea defence but Lavina Hola came to the rescue with a top save to divert the ball away from the bottom left corner of the net again. Papua New Guinea had played in two finals before, but were clearly rocked after conceding, and struggled to settle into the game. With ten minutes left in the first half, Keren Kalapai came close to springing them into life, smashing the crossbar with a long-range effort on her left foot. The goal came soon after in the 42nd minute, when goal-keeper Zainab Donga spilled a delivery into the box, and Papua New Guinea captain Ramona Padio was on hand to tap the ball into the net from point-blank range to level the game. Still celebrating the goal, it all came crashing down for Papua New Guinea almost straight from the restart though. Defender Merolyne Sali was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Madeline Arukau on the edge of her own box, from which the Solomons attacker stepped up to convert the direct free kick into the top of the net on her right foot. Papua New Guinea were behind on the scoreboard again, except this time they had a whole second half ahead of them with just ten players on the pitch. Despite the odds, the defending champions still harboured belief and pushed forward in numbers in search of a response. Captain Padio stood up again when needed most to level the final back up, scoring her second goal of the game in the 65th minute with a direct free kick that beat Donga into the top of the net, helped by the crossbar. Locked at two goals apiece, and with the game wide open, extra-time was quick to dawn in Suva – the first time it had ever been required in an OFC Women's Nations Cup final. Finally, Papua New Guinea began to fatigue as the realities of playing with just ten came to fruition though, allowing substitute Jemina David to pounce for the Solomon Islands four minutes into the start of the extra half hour. Played in behind by Ileen Pegi, slotted the ball past Hola to give the Solomons the lead for the third time, and for most importantly, the final time. There was no response from Papua New Guinea on this occasion as weary legs began to get the better of them, and any efforts to get Marie Kaipu involved up top were largely restricted. Instead, the Solomon Islands slowed the game down and managed the remainder of extra-time to seal an historic win, and the nation's greatest ever footballing achievement in the women's game.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Melanesian Showdown: Papua New Guinea And Solomon Islands Set For Historic OFC Women's Nations Cup Final
Press Release – OFC Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nations football history. The stage is set for a thrilling OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 final, as Melanesian heavyweights Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands prepare to battle for regional glory. Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nation's football history. The defending champions booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Fiji, with head coach Ericson Komeng praising his team's resilience. 'We've learned a lot from that game — it was all about hard work for the girls,' said Komeng. 'There's no pressure in the team, we respect Solomon Islands. They're got great football back home, with their National League. For the PNG team, we are looking forward to playing against the Solomon Islands. 'The girls have to stay focused, we believe in teamwork and we know hard work will get us there.' Captain Ramona Padio echoed her coach's message. 'For us, Solomon Islands are a good side too. And we just have to follow our coach and work hard.' Solomon Islands reached the final after a gripping 2-1 semi-final win over Samoa, a result that sparked celebrations across the nation. Head coach Moses Toata is proud of his team's journey and the opportunity to make history. 'After winning the semi-final it was a great feeling to finally make it to the finals. In the camp, the girls are excited,' said Toata. 'To reach the finals for the Solomon Islands women's team is history for us. I believe all the girls feel the same, for all their hard work and everything they put into preparation for this team.' Captain and talisman Ileen Pegi is ready for the challenge and respectful of the opposition. 'I know PNG are fighting to defend their title, so for us, we're going to go out there and work hard. I'm just humbled and proud to have this privilege to be a leader of the team, keep inspiring them. It's history for us.' With national pride and a major title on the line, Saturday's final promises passion, intensity, and history in the making for both teams.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Melanesian Showdown: Papua New Guinea And Solomon Islands Set For Historic OFC Women's Nations Cup Final
The stage is set for a thrilling OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 final, as Melanesian heavyweights Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands prepare to battle for regional glory. Papua New Guinea are chasing back-to-back titles after lifting their maiden trophy in 2022. Standing in their way are first-time finalists Solomon Islands, who are writing a remarkable chapter in their nation's football history. The defending champions booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Fiji, with head coach Ericson Komeng praising his team's resilience. 'We've learned a lot from that game — it was all about hard work for the girls,' said Komeng. 'There's no pressure in the team, we respect Solomon Islands. They're got great football back home, with their National League. For the PNG team, we are looking forward to playing against the Solomon Islands. 'The girls have to stay focused, we believe in teamwork and we know hard work will get us there.' Captain Ramona Padio echoed her coach's message. 'For us, Solomon Islands are a good side too. And we just have to follow our coach and work hard.' Solomon Islands reached the final after a gripping 2-1 semi-final win over Samoa, a result that sparked celebrations across the nation. Head coach Moses Toata is proud of his team's journey and the opportunity to make history. 'After winning the semi-final it was a great feeling to finally make it to the finals. In the camp, the girls are excited,' said Toata. 'To reach the finals for the Solomon Islands women's team is history for us. I believe all the girls feel the same, for all their hard work and everything they put into preparation for this team.' Captain and talisman Ileen Pegi is ready for the challenge and respectful of the opposition. 'I know PNG are fighting to defend their title, so for us, we're going to go out there and work hard. I'm just humbled and proud to have this privilege to be a leader of the team, keep inspiring them. It's history for us." With national pride and a major title on the line, Saturday's final promises passion, intensity, and history in the making for both teams.
Scoop
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Vanuatu Win Final Group Game But Lose Out On Semi-Final Place To Fiji
With Solomon Islands winning 5-0 over Tonga in the first game of the day, Vanuatu knew that they needed to win by at least two goals in order to secure a semi-final place, while Fiji needed just a point to secure top spot in Group B. 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.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Hosts Fiji Beat Tonga To Collect Consecutive Wins In Group B
Fiji have recorded two wins from two in Group B at the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tonga in front of a home crowd in Suva. Tonga provided stubborn resistance for the tournament hosts, but Fiji's pressure inevitably proved too much, scoring two late goals to seal victory. Fiji won 12-0 when the two nations met in the group stages of the 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup in Nouméa, although were forced to work a lot harder this time around. The hosts had opened their campaign with a win over the Solomon Islands, whilst Tonga were in need of some points after a 3-o defeat to Vanuatu. Cema Nasau scored a hat-trick in the 2018 meeting and came close to opening the scoring when played in-behind the Tongan defence by Adi Litia Bakaniceva. She was left with just Keira Wolfgramm to beat, but the keeper came off her line to make a big save inside the first ten minutes. Tonga did well to survive the first half hour, however Nasau eventually had her say, providing the game's opening goal. Breaking free of her defender in the box, Nasau head a corner delivery into the back of the net in the 30th minute, pulling the hosts ahead, whilst adding to her two previous goals at the 2025 event, and her 10 all-time at the OFC Women's Nations Cup. Fiji had the chance to inflict further damage in the first half, but Anisha Dwarka, and Narieta Leba both missed opportunities. Dwarka pulled a free kick effort just wide of the left post, whilst Leba's shot across goal narrowly evaded the tap-in of a team-mate at the back post. Tonga tried to offer a threat on the counter-attack, but were often outnumbered by Fijian defenders when moving forward throughout the contest. They were at least far more competitive than their 2018 showing though, and their best moment of the match came just before half-time, when Gabriela Filimoetau struck a right-footed effort inches over the crossbar. Fiji coach Angeline Chua made four changes before the hour mark, but Tonga remained stubborn in defence, and became difficult to break down. Preeya Singh's long-range effort found the hands of Wolfgramm, whilst Bakaniceva fired a hopeful shot well wide, as Fiji's lead remained just one goal. Nasau had the chance to score her second, only to head the ball straight at Wolfgramm. The nerves were settled in the 80th minute though, substitute Sereana Naweni latching onto a pass into the box from Bakaniceva, rounding the keeper to score Fiji's second goal, and wrapping up another three points for the tournament hosts. Tabunase added a third in the final minute of injury-time, scrapping the ball across the line from a corner delivery off the left flank. Thanks to other results in Group B, neither team's fate at the tournament is entirely sealed yet though. Tonga will need a big victory over the Solomon Islands on the final matchday to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals, whilst a point with Vanuatu would guarantee top spot in Group B for Fiji. HT: 1-0
