New Caledonia achieved their first victory in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, edging out the Solomon Islands with a 2-1 scoreline, which keeps their semi-final aspirations alive.
The match began with an early goal from Kinë Hmaen of New Caledonia, who took advantage of a defensive error to score in the ninth minute. The Solomon Islands quickly equalized, as Gracester Kini capitalized on a mistake by the goalkeeper.
Both teams had opportunities to score, making it a competitive match. In the second half, Hmaen once again found the net with a rapid solo run, rounding the goalkeeper to net her second goal.
The Solomon Islands pressed for another equalizer but struggled to penetrate New Caledonia’s strong defense. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben made vital saves, particularly against a long-range shot from Yakida Waïa.
As the game neared its conclusion, the Solomon Islands intensified their attacks, but New Caledonia held firm to secure the victory, bringing excitement to their campaign. This outcome alters the group dynamics, paving the way for a thrilling finish to the group stages with several teams still vying for a place in the semi-finals.