Defending champions New Zealand moved closer to securing a place in the semifinals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship with a decisive 5-0 win over Tahiti in Suva.
The match began with New Zealand showing their strength, although Tahiti initially posed a challenge with a solid defensive strategy. The first goal came in the 25th minute when Pia Vlok took advantage of a defensive error to score for New Zealand.
However, the match took a worrying turn for New Zealand when midfielder Keira Tichbon sustained a non-contact injury and had to leave the field. Grace Duncan, who had previously been awarded Player of the Match, stepped in and injected fresh energy into the attack.
As halftime neared, Holly Robins extended New Zealand’s lead by taking advantage of a poorly cleared corner to score. Duncan then scored the third goal with a beautifully executed free-kick that beat Tahitian goalkeeper Kalea Torohia.
In the second half, despite several impressive saves by Torohia, New Zealand continued to apply pressure. Natalie Young and Kya Solomon added goals to the tally, with Solomon netting the fifth goal from a challenging angle.
With this victory, New Zealand now leads Group B with two wins and aims to keep their winning streak alive in their upcoming match against the Solomon Islands.