Defending champions New Zealand edged closer to a semifinal spot in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship after a decisive 5-0 triumph over Tahiti in Suva.
New Zealand established their dominance early in the match, though Tahiti managed to disrupt their rhythm with strong defensive play. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Pia Vlok took advantage of a defensive error to score the first goal.
However, the game took a worrying turn for New Zealand when midfielder Keira Tichbon sustained a non-contact injury and had to leave the field. Her substitute, Grace Duncan, who had previously been named Player of the Match, injected new energy into the team’s attack.
Just before halftime, Holly Robins doubled the lead, capitalizing on a poorly cleared corner. Duncan then extended the lead further 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 added to the scoreline, with Solomon showcasing her skill to score from a tight angle for the fifth goal.
With this victory, New Zealand leads Group B with two wins and is set to face the Solomon Islands next, aiming to keep their perfect record intact.