New Caledonia claimed their first win in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, narrowly defeating the Solomon Islands 2-1 and keeping their semi-final aspirations alive.
The match kicked off with New Caledonia’s Kinë Hmaen seizing on a defensive blunder to score in the ninth minute. The Solomon Islands quickly answered back, equalizing through Gracester Kini, who capitalized on a goalkeeping mistake.
The game was tightly contested, with both sides generating scoring opportunities. New Caledonia regained the lead in the second half as Hmaen scored again with a determined solo effort, skillfully rounding the goalkeeper.
Despite their efforts to equalize, the Solomon Islands struggled to penetrate New Caledonia’s defense. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben made several vital saves, including a significant stop against Yakida Waïa’s long-range shot.
As the match neared its end, the Solomon Islands pressed for a late goal, but New Caledonia managed to hold on for the victory, bringing renewed excitement to their tournament run. This result has altered the group dynamics, paving the way for an exhilarating conclusion to the group stage with several teams still vying for semi-final spots.