Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek

Solomon Islands have made a positive start to their OFC U-16 Women’s Championship campaign after edging Tahiti 2-0 in Suva.

Solomon Islands took the early advantage through Gracester Kini, who bundled the ball into the back of the Tahitian net inside the first three minutes.

Nervy moments in defence for Tahiti followed, as Solomon Islands forward Joy Toby came close to doubling the lead in the 19th minute, after controlling a bouncing ball in the Tahitian penalty area, her shot was denied by a good one-footed save from goalkeeper Kalea Torohia.

Kini could have had a second but narrowly missed with a lovely looping half volley in the 37th minute, which ended up curling away from Torohia’s goal.

She marked herself as a player with an eye for the spectacular as she tried again from the other side of the penalty area a minute later, but like her last shot, it was high and wide.

Torohia came to Tahiti’s rescue a minute before half time, diving acrobatically to deny Toby from a sharp angle.

Tahiti came out determined in the second half, with captain Maerehia Dehors leading by example with a powerful driven shot shortly after the restart that Fiona Goroani did well to hold on to.

The game was begging for a second goal – for both sides.

A corner from Ravenui Warren just missed the head of Anikua Nekrouf, a minute later Solomon Islands failed to take advantage of a loose ball in a crowded Tahitian penalty area. 

In the end Solomon Islands’ dogged attacks resulted in their lead doubled. Anna Ellen’s floated her freekick into the box for Brenda Areni, who planted the ball beyond Torohia to secure the result for Solomon Islands.

Tahiti will look to rebound against New Zealand in their next Group B match on Thursday, while the Solomon Islands now face New Caledonia.

Tahiti: 0
Solomon Islands: 2 (Gracester KINI 5’, Brenda ARENI 71’)

HT: 0-1

New Zealand’s Kiera Tichbon celebrates her goal with her team mates during the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, New Zealand v New Caledonia, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Monday 9 September 2024. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

In the days first match, New Zealand eased past New Caledonia 8-0 at HFC Bank Stadium today to start their OFC U-16 Women’s Championship defence in style.

While New Caledonia looked to settle into the occasion quicker than the Kiwis, some smart combination play between Pia Vlok and Keira Tichbon carved open the New Caledonia defence in the fifth minute, with Tichbon open the scoring.

New Caledonia thought they had an equaliser a minute later when Megan Waayer, playing a high line, was caught at the edge of the penalty area, but was spared her blushes when the New Caledonia shot went wide.

New Zealand doubled their advantage in the 12th minute, after Vlok’s initial attempt was saved, Laura Bennett followed it up with a simple tap home from close range.

Grace Duncan made it three, burying a lovely finish past Aben after being teed up by Vlok, who was at the heart of much of New Zealand’s attacking forays in the first period.

New Caledonia continued to push for a way back in, with Waayer almost caught out off her line again, this time by Kinë Hmaen, whose attempted chip came close to bringing the New Caledonians back into the game, only for it to land over the crossbar.

The Kiwis then began to settle into total control. Vlok showing some lovely skill to create some space in the corner, before delivering a cross into the box for an unmarked Bennett who steered the ball past a diving Aben.

New Zealand rounded off their first half scoring in the 32nd minute as Duncan and Tichbon combined to secure a second goal of the game for the number seven, whose clever runs had been stretching the New Caledonian defence. 

New Caledonia continued to push for a way back into the game right to the half time whistle, only to be denied by a sliding goal-line save from Taylh Byers.

After some persistence in the penalty area from Kané Dralu, New Caledonia were almost rewarded with a goal – which on balance the team deserved, having caused New Zealand some worrying moments during the half.

Bennett completed her hat-trick after half time, running through the New Caledonian defensive lines to slot past Aben, her fourth followed not long after, her shot deflecting in off the far post.

Perhaps the most eye catching goal of the game was the last to be scored, Grace Duncan unleashing her freekick in the top right corner of the goal, to cap a brilliant start to the tournament for the defending champions.

New Zealand: 8 (Keira TICHBON 5’, 32’; Laura BENNETT 12’, 28’, 57’, 70’; Grace DUNCAN 22’, 77’)
New Caledonia: 0

HT: 5-0