New Zealand began their defense of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship with a dominant 8-0 win over New Caledonia at HFC Bank Stadium. The Kiwis showcased their strength right from the start, overpowering New Caledonia, despite the latter’s early attempts to find their footing in the match.
The scoring commenced in the fifth minute when Keira Tichbon struck the first goal with a smooth play involving Pia Vlok. Shortly after, New Caledonia came close to leveling the score, but their attempt narrowly missed the target, leaving New Zealand in the lead.
Laura Bennett then quickly increased the Kiwis’ advantage, scoring from a rebound in the 12th minute. Grace Duncan further extended the lead with a well-placed shot, thanks to another assist from the impactful Vlok.
Despite several attempts by New Caledonia, including a near miss from Kinë Hmaen, New Zealand maintained control of the game. Bennett scored again, converting a cross from Vlok into the net.
The Kiwis closed out a remarkable first half with another goal from Tichbon and Duncan, bringing the score to 5-0 at halftime. New Caledonia’s determination continued, exemplified by a crucial goal-line save from Taylh Byers to keep them from scoring.
In the second half, Bennett completed her hat-trick and added a fourth goal, slicing through the defense with ease. The highlight of the match came from Duncan, who executed a stunning free-kick into the top corner, concluding an impressive victory for New Zealand.
This win sets a high benchmark for the defending champions, highlighting their depth and offensive capabilities as they aim to retain their title in the tournament.