New Caledonia earned their first victory in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, defeating the Solomon Islands 2-1 and keeping their hopes for a semi-final spot alive. The match kicked off with Kinë Hmaen of New Caledonia scoring in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a defensive blunder.
The Solomon Islands quickly equalized when Gracester Kini took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake. The contest remained competitive, with both sides having chances to score. In the second half, Hmaen struck again with a brilliant solo effort, regaining the lead for New Caledonia after rounding the goalkeeper.
Despite their efforts to level the match, the Solomon Islands struggled to penetrate New Caledonia’s defense. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben made key saves, including a notable stop against a long-range shot from Yakida Waïa. As the match drew to a close, the Solomon Islands intensified their attack, but New Caledonia managed to hold on for the win, generating excitement as the group stages reach a dramatic conclusion with several teams still vying for semi-final positions.