American Samoa’s remarkable run through the OFC qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ has continued, with the side now through to the third and final round.
Prior to the Brazil 2027 preliminaries, American Samoa had not only never won a qualifier, they hadn’t scored a single goal. They’ve now reeled off four straight victories, the latest a 1-0 win over Samoa, to reach April’s final phase.
They will be joined there by New Zealand, after the Football Ferns dazzled against the Solomon Islands to also maintain a perfect start.
New Caledonia re-ignited their hopes of progression with a 2-1 win over Vanuatu although the Group B picture is still far from being settled with the clash between Fiji and Papua New Guinea rescheduled for 3 March due to adverse weather conditions.
Group A
American Samoa goal: Morgan Patea (45+1)
American Samoa completed a fairytale run to the final phase of qualifiers as they backed up last week’s win over Solomon Islands with a 1-0 victory over Samoa. It was another impressive display from Amanda Cromwell’s side who dominated from start to finish in a match played in steady rain in Honiara.
After Mia Toeaina, Brielle Tautua and Anaiyah Tu’ua had all come close, the deadlock was finally broken in first half stoppage-time as a Toeaina cross was swept home by Morgan Patea from adjacent to the penalty spot.
Samoa had a chance to restore parity in the second half as a long-range Torijan Lyne-Lewis free-kick smacked off the bar but that was as close as they came.
American Samoa held firm to create more history, with this fourth straight victory seeing them storm into April’s third round.
“We knew that we needed a result and our mindset was to try and win it. The girls were so resilient, fought so hard, trusted each other, the process and the coaches and you can see the results of that. Getting two shut-out wins to advance, it’s epic.”
Amanda Cromwell, American Samoa coach
“We weren’t good enough from the start and didn’t settle into the game. With them scoring so late in the first half that also knocked our confidence but there are no excuses and they were the better team.”
Paul Ifill, Samoa coach
New Zealand goals: Milly Clegg (2, 81), Indiah Paige-Riley (8), Hannah Blake (16, 65, 73), Grace Jale (61), Pia Vlok (75)
Coming off a thumping opening win, New Zealand coach Michael Mayne made a host of changes but that did little to dull a slick and clinical Ferns attack. With barely a quarter of an hour eclipsed they had raced into a three-goal lead as Milly Clegg, Indiah Paige-Riley and Hannah Blake all struck.
A long-range Grace Jale strike shortly after the hour made it four before Blake then completed her hat-trick with a well struck effort from distance and another where she turned Solomons keeper Margaret Kofela inside-out.
Substitute Pia Vlok joined the scoring party, as she bagged her first senior goal, before Clegg added an eighth to round out another eye-catching display from the Ferns.
“I thought we played really well and we did what the coach had told us to focus on. We got around each other, kept pushing for more goals and not relaxing after getting a few.”
Charlotte Lancaster, New Zealand midfielder
“We’re never happy to not to win but I’m super proud of the effort. There’s always a gulf in class between New Zealand and the other nations but we stuck together from start to finish.”
Daniel Barrett, Solomon Islands coach
Group B
New Caledonia goals: Kane Dralu (14), Leana Hmae (34)
Vanuatu goal: Leimata Simon (82)
With both nations having suffered 5-0 defeats on the opening day of second round action, New Caledonia and Vanuatu knew the importance of banking maximum points here.
A fine solo effort from Kane Dralu, who broke free down the right, skipped past a defender and then around the keeper, set New Caledonia on their way before a thumping Leana Hmae header doubled the advantage shortly after the half-hour.
Leimata Simon pulled a goal back late on for Vanuatu but they were unable to find an equaliser, leaving their hopes of progression hanging by a thread, while New Caledonia are now right back in contention.
“This was a very important match for us because our first match against Fiji was difficult for us. Today, we played against Vanuatu, we fought hard until the end, and I am very proud of my team. We’ll have the same goal as today in the last match, which is to give it our all, fight to the end to get the win and hopefully secure a place in the top two of the pool.”
Prescillia Maillot, New Caledonia goalkeeper and Player of the Match
“In the first half we went away from our game and we tried to catch up in the second half but the time was gone and that was the result.”
Jean Robert Yelou, Vanuatu coach
Match was postponed due to adverse weather conditions and will be played at 12.00 (Fiji time) on Tuesday 3 March.
Images courtesy of OFC Media/Phototek
