Koleta Likuculacula scored two goals as Fiji narrowly defeated Tahiti 2-1 in their inaugural match at the OFC Women’s Futsal Championship in the Solomon Islands.
The match came alive in the latter part of the first half, with Tahiti taking an early lead in the 15th minute through the consistent Remeha. Fiji quickly leveled the score when Likuculacula skillfully controlled the ball on the right side of the Tahiti box, maneuvering onto her left foot and striking it past Tahiti goalkeeper Corail Harry.
Things took a turn for the worse for Tahiti when Ninauea Hioe received a second yellow card, leaving her team with one less player for a two-minute stretch. Despite being a player down, Tahiti held off Fiji until the closing moments of the game.
In a dynamic play, Tahiti’s goalkeeper Harry managed to make a remarkable double save from a free-kick taken by Fiji’s Cema Nasau, but she could not stop Likuculacula from scoring her second goal, ultimately securing the victory for Fiji.