OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024

New Zealand qualify for Paris Olympics with a 11 – 1 win over Solomon Islands. Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at FFS Football Stadium (Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

The fifth edition of the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament took place in 2024. The winner would progress to the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The tournament was held in Samoa and was contested between eight nations, with two groups of four and the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals.

It was a tight tussle in Group A, with Solomon Islands prevailing as top seed following a 3-1 victory over Fiji in the final group match. Fiji’s wins over Papua New Guinea and American Samoa ensured they clinched second place and a spot in the semi-finals.

Samoa’s Monique Fischer and Solomon Islands Jemina David at Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Oceania Qualifier Semi Final, FFS Football Stadium (Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz)

New Zealand went through Group B unbeaten but it wasn’t without a fight, edging Tonga 3-0 in the opening match, before finding their rhythm against Samoa and Vanuatu. Victories in their opening match against Vanuatu and final group match against rivals Tonga, ensured Samoa reached the semi-finals for the first time at the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Two late goals from Sandy Aniholand and captain Ileen Pegi helped the Solomon Islands into their first Olympic Qualifying final with a 2-0 win over hosts Samoa, while a hat-trick from Grace Jale propelled New Zealand to a dominant 7-1 victory over Fiji in the second semi-final. New Zealand saved their best performance for last, recording an 11-1 victory over Solomon Islands, to book their place at the 2024 Olympics.