Fiji triumphed over the Solomon Islands with a 1-0 scoreline, securing fifth place in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, propelled by an impressive free-kick by Sisilia Kuladina.
Both teams came into the match after narrowly missing their chance to advance to the semi-finals, resulting in a tightly contested game. Solomon Islands made a late adjustment to their starting team, substituting Bella Fa’arodo for Joyce Siosi.
The first half featured few opportunities, highlighted by Solomon Islands striking the woodwork from a corner and Fiji’s goalkeeper Miliana Maramanikabu having to leave the field due to a head injury.
The second half saw Solomon Islands come close to scoring, but it was Kuladina’s skill that proved decisive as she scored from a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Fiji secured the victory despite Solomon Islands’ attempts to clinch an equaliser.