Defending champions New Zealand are on the verge of clinching a semifinal spot in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship following a decisive 5-0 win against Tahiti in Suva.
New Zealand asserted their dominance right from the start, although Tahiti managed to disrupt their rhythm with a strong defensive arrangement. The breakthrough for New Zealand came in the 25th minute, when Pia Vlok took advantage of a defensive error to score the first goal.
However, the match took a concerning turn for New Zealand as midfielder Keira Tichbon sustained a non-contact injury, which forced her to leave the field. Her substitution, Grace Duncan, who was previously recognized as Player of the Match, injected energy into the team’s attack.
As the halftime mark approached, Holly Robins extended New Zealand’s lead, capitalizing on a poorly cleared corner. Duncan then netted a third goal with a well-placed free-kick that slipped past Tahitian goalkeeper Kalea Torohia.
In the second half, New Zealand continued to apply pressure, and despite several saves from Torohia, they found the back of the net twice more. Natalie Young contributed to the scoreline, and Kya Solomon showcased her skill with a fifth goal from a challenging angle.
With this win, New Zealand leads Group B with two victories under their belt and aims to keep their unbeaten streak intact against the Solomon Islands next.