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3 days ago
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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.
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6 days ago
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Solomon Islands Make History By Qualifying For Maiden OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 Final
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Despite defeat, Samoa will have the chance to claim third when they face Fiji prior to Saturday's final between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands have defeated Samoa 2-1 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva to reach the final of the OFC Women's Nations Cup for the first time. Samoa hit the front early on, but two goals in the space of 12 minutes completed a first half comeback for the Solomon Islands, who held on to seal victory in Wednesday's second semi-final. It sets up a final against Papua New Guinea back at HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday night, where the Solomon Islands will be hoping to lift the continental crown for the first time. The Solomon Islands were victors when the two nations met in the third-place play-off at the 2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup but were dealt an early blow when defender Sharoly Saeni was forced off inside the first six minutes. It meant Jacklyn Ikama came on a lot earlier than she would have expected, and Samoa took advantage of her inability to adapt straight away. Oteta Kitonia latched onto a well-weighted delivery into the box and calmly slotted the ball past Zainab Donga to give Samoa the lead in the 14th minute, scoring her second goal of the tournament, and her nation's first ever in an OFC Women's Nations Cup semi-final. That sparked the Solomon Islands into gear though, and it didn't take them long to get their dangerous frontline trio of Ileen Pegi, Madeline Arukau, and Lorina Solosaia going. Just six minutes later, the Solomon Islands were back level through a moment of magic from captain Pegi. She picked up the ball down the left-hand side of the box, before cutting inside and curling a delightful right-footed effort into the top-right corner of the net. The short comeback was complete in the 33rd minute, when Solosaia and Almah Gogoni scrapped hard in the box, forcing Samoan defender Breanna Kitiona to nudge the ball into her own net. Ahead on the scoreboard, momentum was well and truly in the Solomon Islands favour, and they had chances to add a third goal before the break, Arukau notably poking an effort into the side-netting. Arukau continued to probe in the second half, first forcing Xeyana Salanoa to rush off her line for a crucial block, before forcing the goalkeeper into a save at her near post either side of the hour mark. Samoa controlled more of the ball as the contest progressed in search of a way back into the match but continued to struggle for any clear goal-scoring chances. That forced Coach Juan Chang Urrea to ring the changes, injecting Alisa Tuatagaloa and Gracie Va'afusuaga into the action. An error from Donga in goal was the closest Samoa came, but a defender was on hand to scurry the ball clear from danger for the Solomon Islands, and they held out through the final ten minutes, and seven minutes of injury-time for an historic win. Despite defeat, Samoa will have the chance to claim third when they face Fiji prior to Saturday's final between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Sport
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Papua New Guinea Defeat Fiji And Will Chase Back To Back Titles In Suva
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The return of midfield maestro Ramona Padio, absent during last months friendlies between the sides in Port Moresby, proved influential. Papua New Guinea are one win away from defending their OFC Women's Nations Cup title, following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over hosts Fiji in a gripping semi-final at HFC Stadium in Suva. Ericson Komeng's side enjoyed long spells of dominance and showed their cohesion, with seven players from Hekari United Women's FC featuring in the starting XI. Marie Kaipu posed a constant threat up front, supported by Michaelyne Butubu and Keren Kalapai. Fiji, in contrast, looked to exploit the pace of Narieta Leba on the counter. The return of midfield maestro Ramona Padio, absent during last month's friendlies between the sides in Port Moresby, proved influential. In the 26th minute, her pinpoint cross was headed home by Kalapai to open the scoring. Padio nearly doubled the lead four minutes later, denied only by a superb near-post save from 18-year-old Fiji goalkeeper Emily Esposito. But Padio didn't have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, just three minutes later, she unleashed a powerful 30-metre effort that bounced awkwardly in front of Esposito, who couldn't keep it out. Fiji hit back immediately. Straight from the restart, a long ball released Leba, who regained her footing after stumbling and rifled a right-footed strike past Lavinia Hola to halve the deficit. Chances followed either side of the break for Fiji as they desperately sought an equaliser. Leba squared a dangerous ball across goal for Trina Davis, who couldn't connect with the net beckoning. Moments into the second half, Cema Nasau, quiet in the first half, forced a brilliant save from Hola at close range. Fiji coach Angeline Chua made a bold call at halftime, replacing Davis with 14-year-old Adi Reva, but PNG's experience and control shone through. They lifted their intensity, dictated the tempo, and saw out the match with composure. Captain Maria Veronika cleared off the line for Fiji with 20 minutes remaining, and on attack Fiji threw everything at the PNG defence in the final minutes but couldn't find the magic touch needed to draw level and force extra time. It's heartbreak for Fiji—once again falling 2-1 to PNG, just as in the 2022 final. The hosts will now turn their focus to Saturday's third-place playoff, while Papua New Guinea await either Solomon Islands or Samoa in the final. PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2 (Keren KALAPAI 26' Ramona PADIO 33')
Scoop
14-07-2025
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Change Of Host Nation For OFC Futsal Men's Cup 2025
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) wishes to advise of a change in host nation for the upcoming OFC Futsal Men's Cup 2025. Originally scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, the tournament will now take place in Fiji. The competition will still be held during the official period of 20–24 September 2025. The new venue for the tournament is Vodafone Arena in Suva, hosted by the Fiji Football Association (FFA). The decision was made by the OFC Executive Committee in light of logistical considerations and in consultation with the relevant Member Associations. OFC would like to acknowledge the Solomon Islands Football Federation for their continued support and commitment to futsal in the region. Further details on the tournament schedule and participating teams will be announced in due course. Fiji is also scheduled to host the Futsal Men's Champions League (16-23 November) at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
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14-07-2025
- Sport
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Poida's Poise Secures Vanuatu Fifth Place At OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Vanuatu searched for a second goal, dominating possession and time in Tahitis half, with the excellent Rita Solomon setting the tempo from midfield. But they were frustrated by Tahitis compacted defence, which was well-marshalled by Gwendoline … 14 July 2025 Having beaten hosts Fiji in their final group game and only narrowly missing out on the semi-finals, Vanuatu came into tonight's Fifth place play-off with momentum on their side. Vanuatu had the ball in the back of the net in the sixth minute, but the goal was disallowed after the ball was judged to have been kicked out of the hands of Tahitian goalkeeper Camille Andre, Leimata Simon bearing down on goal but only able to hit at Andre, then the crossbar, with the rebound bundled by Angelina Poida over the line via the goalkeeper's grasp. Undeterred, Vanuatu tried again, with Simon the target. The sharpshooter looking to continue her record of scoring in every appearance this tournament, and the Tahiti defence content to absorb the pressure and try to catch Vanuatu out on a quick counterattack. Some individual brilliance and flair from Simon almost paid off for the striker, as she attempted to juggle past Julienne Naomi and win a free kick in the process, but she couldn't get the ball back down quick enough to challenge Andre. But Vanuatu's breakthrough came in a moment of magic from Poida in the 28th minute. Latching onto to a long ball from Willine Viti on the right, her first touch deftly took her away from a scrambling Andre, giving her time to set up for an emphatic finish for her second. Vanuatu searched for a second goal, dominating possession and time in Tahiti's half, with the excellent Rita Solomon setting the tempo from midfield. But they were frustrated by Tahiti's compacted defence, which was well-marshalled by Gwendoline Fournier. Tahiti came agonizingly close to snatching a dramatic equalizer deep in added time when a Tahitian corner was only cleared as far as Kohai Mai, who quickly unleashed a shot goalwards, but Vanuatu's Amelia Reddy was level to it, securing her third clean sheet of the competition, Vanuatu's third win, and their best-ever finish in the OFC Women's Nations Cup.
