Fiji claimed a 1-0 win over the Solomon Islands, securing 5th place in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, thanks to a brilliant free-kick by Sisilia Kuladina.
Both teams approached the match having narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi-finals, leading to a tightly contested game. The Solomon Islands made a last-minute change to their starting lineup, with Bella Fa’arodo replacing Joyce Siosi.
The first half featured few opportunities, highlighted by Solomon Islands hitting the post from a corner kick and a head collision that forced Fiji’s goalkeeper Miliana Maramanikabu to exit the game.
In the second half, Solomon Islands nearly broke the stalemate, but it was Kuladina’s exceptional free-kick just outside the penalty area that proved decisive. Fiji managed to defend their lead successfully as the Solomon Islands struggled to equalize.