The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
On 19 September, the New Zealand U‑16 Women’s team secured their eighth OFC U‑16 Women’s Championship title by defeating New Caledonia 4‑0 in the final held at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Captain Bonnie Rice opened the scoring in the 48th minute and added a second goal in the 66th minute, earning the player‑of‑the‑match award. Kodi Wilson and Louisa Egley‑Turner finished the scoreline with goals in the 87th and 90+5th minutes, respectively.
The victory extended New Zealand’s perfect record at the tournament, which began in 2010, as the team scored 19 goals and conceded none across five matches in the Solomon Islands.
The first half ended goalless, with New Caledonia’s organised defence and goalkeeper Philippa Bromley limiting New Zealand’s chances. A fingertip save by Bromley denied Gisele Hace a direct free‑kick in the 38th minute.
After the break, New Zealand’s attack found its rhythm. Rice’s 48th‑minute strike cut in from the left flank, beating defender Bernadette Nyikeine at the near post. Her second goal, a top‑of‑the‑box finish into the bottom‑left corner, sealed the win.
Both New Zealand and New Caledonia will now prepare for the FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup 2027 in Morocco, where New Caledonia will make its debut alongside New Zealand as the OFC’s representatives.
In other matches, Fiji secured third place with a 6‑1 victory over Papua New Guinea. Fiji’s Temalesi Masi scored twice, while Esther Vunivi, Adi Reva, Titilia Latui, and Varanisese Naiqarau added the remaining goals.
New Zealand’s final scoreline: 4 (Bonnie Rice 48′, 66′, Kodi Wilson 87′, Louisa Egley‑Turn
Article source: www.solomontimes.com | Image credit: www.solomontimes.com
