New Caledonia achieved 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 taking advantage of a defensive error and scoring in the ninth minute. The Solomon Islands quickly equalized through Gracester Kini, who capitalized on a mistake by the New Caledonian goalkeeper.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams generating opportunities. In the second half, New Caledonia regained the lead when Hmaen scored her second goal after a swift solo effort, skillfully rounding the goalkeeper.
Despite their efforts to equalize, the Solomon Islands struggled to penetrate New Caledonia’s defense again. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben made several important saves, particularly stopping a long-range shot from Yakida Waïa.
As the match neared its conclusion, the Solomon Islands pressed for a goal, but New Caledonia managed to hold on for the victory, adding an exciting twist to their campaign. This result has a significant impact on the group standings, paving the way for an exhilarating finish to the group stage, with various teams still vying for a place in the semi-finals.