OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2007

The eighth edition of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup was held in 2007 and was hosted in Lae, Papua New Guinea, with all matches played at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium. It doubled as OFC qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in China, and was contested by just four nations, including hosts Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, and Tonga.

Three-time defending champions Australia did not defend their crown, having transferred to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.The format followed previous editions, with all four teams playing each other in a round-robin layout and the highest finishing side winning both the OFC Women’s Nations Cup title and qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup™. Without Trans-Tasman rivals Australia in their way, New Zealand were always heavy favorites to secure the title, beginning their campaign with big 6-1 and 8-0 victories over tournament debutants Tonga and the Solomon Islands.

Hosts Papua New Guinea kept themselves in the running with wins over the same opposition, beating the Solomon Islands 6-1 and Tonga 1-0, to send the tournament to a title decider with New Zealand on the final day. By halftime New Zealand had opened up a four-goal lead though, cruising to their third OFC Women’s Nations Cup title with a convincing 7-0 win at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, and qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

Kirsty Yallop scored twice in the decisive game against Papua New Guinea, joining teammate Nicky Smith as the tournament’s leading goal-scorer with four. Tonga and the Solomon Islands both picked up one point, but the former finished third by virtue of a superior goal difference.