Wins for Papua New Guinea and Fiji have seen that pair join New Zealand and American Samoa in the third and final round of Oceania qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
Weather delays had postponed the match-up between PNG and Fiji, with that fixture now set to be played this Sunday to determine which nation will top the section.
Elsewhere, New Zealand completed a commanding week, as they saw off surprise packets American Samoa to finish as Group A winners.
Group A
New Zealand goals: Kelli Brown (44 pen), Claudia Bunge (51), Indiah-Paige Riley (71)
With both nations already safely through to the final round, it was a tussle to determine section superiority as American Samoa clashed with New Zealand in Honiara.
Kelli Brown had a golden opportunity to put the OFC heavyweights into a 34th minute lead, only to fire straight at Ayana Kirisimasi. The Australia-based forward made amends for that miss ten minutes later, converting a penalty to send the Ferns to the break a goal to the good.
The lead was doubled shortly after the resumption via a thumping Claudia Bunge header from a Michaela Foster corner before Indiah-Paige Riley then scored one of the goals of the tournament as she fired off a rocket from the top of the box that flew past Kirisimasi.
That completed a fantastic week for Michael Mayne’s side, with the Ferns now entering the third round as group winners, having won all three matches, with 19 goals scored and none conceded.
“American Samoa made it hard for us but we stuck together, stuck to our principles and we were patient enough but it was definitely a tough match. We got the job done, we had a clean sheet across the group stage and off the field things are now starting to show on the pitch as well.”
Maya Hahn, New Zealand midfielder
“We could have been better in possession but we fought hard until the end. We have to work on things in and out of possession as well as fine tuning our set plays, increasing our fitness and getting rested.”
Amanda Cromwell, American Samoa coach
Samoa goals: Malia Jessop (36), Edith Nari (78 OG)
Solomon Islands goal: Ileen Pegi (63)
With both nations having lost their opening fixtures, this clash was a dead rubber but it was still a lively affair in the Solomon Islands capital.
A well-struck Malia Jessop volley from a tight angle handed the visitors a first half lead but only some fine goalkeeping from Meripa Seumanutafa preserved it. The Samoan custodian pulled off three fine saves to deny Ileen Pegi, Sandy Aniholland and Almah Gogoni.
She was finally beaten though as Pegi finished off some tidy lead-up work shortly after the hour. Samoa struck back late on as a Mia Afoa free-kick was deflected off the head of defender Edith Nari past her own keeper.
“I’m really pleased, I wanted them to finish strong. I wanted the team to go out and play with bravery and work towards the future so it was nice we could do that.”
Paul Ifill, Samoa coach
“We threw everything at them trying to get the victory and I felt we had so many chances that we should have won the game.”
Daniel Barrett, Solomon Islands coach
Group B
Papua New Guinea goals: Anastasia Gunemba (73), Keren Kalapai (90), Meagen Gunemba (94), Calista Maneo (90+6)
After bad weather had postponed their second group outing, Papua New Guinea knew that a win against a New Caledonia side playing their final match would see them through to the fourth round. Only some fine work from goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben prevented the Bilums from taking the lead earlier than they did, as she thwarted both Keren Kalapai and Marie Kaipu from close range.
Eventually the PNG pressure told as Anastasia Gunemba poked home a Ramona Padio corner at the back post in the 73rd minute. Thereafter the floodgates opened, as Kalapai added a second at the end of regulation time and Meagen Gunemba joined her sister on the scoresheet.
Calista Maneo lashed home a fourth in the sixth minute of stoppage time to round out the ultimately comfortable win and send the Bilums into April’s semi-finals.
“We didn’t play well in the first half or do what we were supposed to do and it nearly cost us the game but the girls came out in the second half with determination and got the win. We now look forward to the final match against Fiji.”
Ericson Komeng, Papua New Guinea coach
“The result hurts a lot. We didn’t deserve that. I’m the first to be disappointed. Today, I fielded a young team in the first half and that allowed me to see them in action. Now I say: watch out, because we have young players coming up.”
Christelle Wahnawe, New Caledonia coach
Fiji goal: Sofi Diyalowai (20)
A youthful Vanuatu side may not have got the results they wanted at the tournament but they’ve shown plenty of attacking glimpses and across a lively first half in Ba, they saw Nettie Kalsau have a shot that struck the bar while the impressive Leimata Simon also caused plenty of problems for the hosts.
It was the Kulas though who went to the break a goal to the good as Trina Davis raced free down the left, skipped past a defender and squared for Sofi Diyalowai who swept home from close range.
A lively second half saw numerous chances for both nations, the best of those as Fiji substitute Jotivini Tabua came within millimetres of squeezing a shot over the goal-line. The win secured Fiji’s progression to the final stage, with the group winner set to be determined when they clash with Papua New Guinea this Sunday.
“We’re happy with the three points, it was a hard game to play. We only came together a month ago so we need to keep working on things. We came here to make it to the next stage but we’re not happy with just that so we will work hard towards our next game.”
Nicola Demaine, Fiji coach
“Even though we knew we were out of the tournament it was good to put the effort in that we did today to prepare for the next tournament. I think we improved [match by match] and we will be looking to improve the strength of the team.”
Jean Robert Yelou, Vanuatu coach
Images courtesy of OFC Media/Phototek
