Defending champions New Zealand are on the brink of securing a semifinal spot in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship after a resounding 5-0 victory over Tahiti in Suva.
New Zealand displayed their dominance right from the start, although Tahiti initially managed to disrupt their rhythm with a solid defensive arrangement. The first goal came in the 25th minute when Pia Vlok took advantage of a defensive error to put New Zealand ahead.
However, the match took a concerning turn for New Zealand when midfielder Keira Tichbon suffered a non-contact injury and had to leave the game. Grace Duncan, who had previously been named Player of the Match, came on and injected fresh energy into the attack.
As the first half drew to a close, Holly Robins doubled New Zealand’s advantage by capitalizing on a poorly executed clearance from a corner kick. Duncan then made it 3-0 with a beautifully curved free-kick that left Tahitian goalkeeper Kalea Torohia with no chance.
In the second half, despite several impressive saves from Torohia, New Zealand continued to apply pressure. Natalie Young and Kya Solomon added further goals, with Solomon scoring the fifth from a challenging angle.
With two wins under their belt, New Zealand leads Group B and aims to extend their unbeaten streak in the upcoming match against the Solomon Islands.