Fiji secured a 1-0 win against the Solomon Islands to finish in fifth place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, courtesy of a remarkable free-kick by Sisilia Kuladina.
Both teams came into the match after narrowly missing out on a spot in the semi-finals, resulting in a tightly contested game. The Solomon Islands made a late alteration to their starting lineup, with Bella Fa’arodo replacing Joyce Siosi.
The first half offered few opportunities, with the Solomon Islands hitting the crossbar from a corner kick, and Fiji’s goalkeeper Miliana Maramanikabu being substituted after sustaining a head injury.
In the second half, the Solomon Islands nearly scored, but it was Kuladina’s free-kick from just outside the penalty area that ultimately provided Fiji with the decisive moment.
Fiji managed to maintain their lead as the Solomon Islands struggled to equalize.