OFC U-17 Women’s Championship 2016

New Zealand team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Jordan at Prince Mohammed International Stadium (Photo by Steve Bardens -FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The third edition of the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship took place in 2016 and doubled as qualification for the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan. The tournament was hosted by the Cook Islands with all matches played in Matavera. It was contested by nine nations, the most in tournament history, featuring debutants Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa.

Two time champions New Zealand got off to a hot start beating newcomers Samoa, before continuing that momentum with wins against New Caledonia and Tonga to top Group A with three wins. Papua New Guinea advanced from a challenging Group B on top after securing a two-all draw against runners-up Fiji in the final group match.

During the FIFA U-17 Women?s World Cup between New Zealand and Jordan (Photo by Steve Bardens -FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

New Zealand were far too strong for Fiji in the semi-finals racking up a 11-0 scoreline to reach the finals, Papua New Guinea joined them, Robertlynn Kig scoring a 95th minute winner to help secure a 2-1 victory against New Caledonia.

In the final, hat-tricks from both Hannah Blake and Jacqui Hand carried New Zealand to a convincing 8-0 victory over Papua New Guinea, as they claimed their third consecutive OFC U-17 Women’s Championship title.

At the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, New Zealand suffered back-to-back defeats against Mexico and Spain in Group A. However, they rounded out the tournament with an emphatic 5-0 victory against the hosts Jordan, their first win at a U-17 Women’s World Cup since their debut in 2008.