Samoa has achieved a significant milestone in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship by securing their second straight victory, defeating Tonga 2-0 in Suva. This win reinforces their lead in Group A and brings them closer to the semi-finals.
The match began with Samoa displaying strong early dominance, utilizing swift ball movement and effective wing play to challenge Tonga’s defense. The first goal came from Taimane Devoux, who took advantage of a misjudged catch by the Tongan goalkeeper after Leah Atuaia delivered a well-placed free-kick. This goal set a positive tone for Samoa, who continued to press for additional goals.
In the second half, Samoa maintained their attacking momentum. Key contributions from captain Lynn Aiono Sagiao and Jayde Sagapolutele led to Sagiao scoring with a powerful shot from near the penalty area, doubling their lead. Tonga struggled to counter effectively, significantly impacted by the absence of key player Tyra Bagiante due to injury. Though they had fleeting opportunities, they were unable to turn these into goals.
With this victory, Samoa has cemented its place in the semi-finals, while Tonga now faces a crucial challenge; they must win their upcoming match against the Cook Islands to keep their hopes of advancing alive.