Defending champions New Zealand took a significant step towards securing a semifinal spot in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship with a dominant 5-0 win against Tahiti in Suva.
New Zealand demonstrated their superiority from the outset, though Tahiti managed to disrupt their rhythm with a strong defensive approach. The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Pia Vlok took advantage of a defensive misstep to score the first goal for New Zealand.
However, the match took a concerning turn for New Zealand when midfielder Keira Tichbon sustained a non-contact injury, necessitating her exit from the game. She was replaced by Grace Duncan, who had previously been named Player of the Match and brought fresh energy to the team’s offense.
As the first half neared its end, Holly Robins extended New Zealand’s lead, capitalizing on a poorly executed clearance from a corner kick. Duncan then contributed significantly by scoring the third goal with a beautifully curved free-kick that slipped past Tahitian goalkeeper Kalea Torohia.
In the second half, despite several impressive saves from Torohia, New Zealand continued to apply pressure. Natalie Young and Kya Solomon both found the back of the net, with Solomon skillfully scoring the fifth goal from a difficult angle.
With this victory, New Zealand tops Group B with two wins and aims to keep their unbeaten streak alive in their upcoming match against Solomon Islands.