OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2017

Photo Credit: OFC Media

The fourth edition of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship took place in 2017 and doubled as qualification for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay. It was the first OFC tournament to be lowered from under-17 to under-16, and was hosted in Samoa. The tournament was contested between eight member associations (MAs) with Tahiti and American Samoa making their debut.

Defending champions New Zealand progressed through the group stages with a perfect three wins from three, while Fiji topped Group B with two wins and draw. New Caledonia and Cook Islands both reached the semi-finals as runners-up in their respective group.

Amelia Abbott of New Zealand and Eva Alonso of Spain during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In the early game, New Zealand put on an absolute clinic against the Cook Islands recording a 9-0 victory to reach a fourth final. New Caledonia reached their first final with a comprehensive 4-2 victory against Fiji.

Four goals from Arabella Maynard inspired New Zealand to an emphatic 6-0 victory over New Caledonia in the final, securing their fourth consecutive OFC U-16 Women’s Championship title. As continental champions, New Zealand went on to represent OFC at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

2018 was an historic year for Women’s football with New Zealand becoming the first country from Oceania to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Finland before upsetting hosts Uruguay 2-1 to secured a spot in the knockout stages for the first time.

Photo Credit: FIFA via Getty Images

In the quarter-finals, New Zealand’s impressive run at the tournament continued. After a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time against Japan the match went to penalties where NZ prevailed 4-3, with goalkeeper Anna Leat kicking the winning penalty.

New Zealand suffered a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals. Grace Wisnewski produced more history at the tournament, scoring the fastest-ever goal in a U-17 Women’s World Cup match, as NZ secured a 2-1 victory in the third place match against Canada. Their third place finish remains the highest by any OFC member at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup or women’s age-group event.