Samoa's Madison Cahill and Tahiti's Moerani More during their OFC 2025 U16 Women's Championship in Apia. 7 August 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Hosts Samoa are on fire after they defeated Tahiti 1-0 in Apia on Thursday afternoon to record their third win from Pool A at the Group A at the OFC 2025 Under-16 Women's Championship.
Having already secured a semi-final spot following their victory over Fiji on Monday, the hosts did not let down, even with eight of their starters rested from the match.
The game was postponed for some time because of the heavy rain and ground conditions.
OFC said seven minutes into the second spell with pools of water appearing all over the pitch, referee Michael Urui of the Solomon Islands made the decision to postpone the match for 30 minutes.
Remarkably the rain stopped and the drainage at the ground worked a treat, with play resuming approximately 40 minutes after the players left the field.
Tova Uvaa scored the winner that sealed the win.
She said after the match it was a special goal, especially as the players had worked hard despite the playing conditions.
"It was so special," she said.
"It was so hard coming into the second half with so much rain and all the puddles.
"It was hard getting in together. Tahiti was a great team."
Uvaa said the team now looks forward to Monday's semi-final.
Head coach Juan Chang Urrea rested some of his key players, ahead of the semi-finla but the young Samoans did not disappoint, as they continued their impressive showing so far.
OFC said the first half was largely devoid of genuine clear cut scoring opportunities and as the weather deteriorated; it made it tougher for players under foot.
Substitute Madison Cahill had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Samoa in the 63rd minute after a beautiful cross from the right by Taliyah Taaga.
But Cahill couldn't get a solid connection on the ball and her shot went wide.
Cali Willis tookk the field as Samoa tried to break the deadlock.
Samida Tumanuvao almost got on the scoreboard but her shot was saved by Tahiti keeper Kalea Torohia.
However, continuing pressure Samoa finally found the goal in the 81st minute when Willis turned provider in when she swung in a cross from the left for Auvaa to fire in a superb right footed effort into the corner of the net.
Samoa 1 (Tova Auvaa 81') Tahiti 0.
New Caledonia's Heidra Adjouhgniope and Fiji's Kinisimere Botesulu tussle for possession during their OFC 2025 U16 Women's Championship in Apia. 7August 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
New Caledonia thrash Fiji
It was a disappointing finish for Fiji but celebration time for New Caledonia when they managed to win the team's clash on Thursday morning.
A 6-0 scoreline in the end showed how determined New Caledonia was to secure a semi-final spot.
They finished as runner-up from the pool behind Samoa.
OFC said Kenji Vendegou's side dominated the match with their relentless attacking play, spearheaded by the dangerous trio of Kinë Hmaen, Shana Nemoinon and Heidra Adjouhgniope.
The three players constantly probed Fiji's defense with quick combinations and sharp runs down the flanks.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Hmaen latched onto a pass and fired home, before she added a second in first half stoppage time with another composed finish.
Heidra Adjouhgniope delivered the decisive blow on the stroke of half-time with a clinical strike.
Leading 3-0 at the breather, New Caledonia were already qualified.
They returned determined to score more, as Fiji slowly fell apart in midfield.
The result was put beyond doubt when New Caledonia captain Matha Bako scored from close range.
Then it was Sélapalé Sameke who added the team's fifth before Bernadette Nyikeine scored a sixth goal to complete a brilliant performance from New Caledonia.
New Caledonia 6 (Kinë Hmaen 28', 45+2′, Heidra Adjouhgniope 45+5, Matha Bako 56', Sélapalé Sameke 57' Bernadette Nyikeine 90+6′) Fiji 0.
