The looming arrival of Cyclone Vaianu forced the semi-finals of the OFC qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ to be brought forward by 24 hours, with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea riding out various storms of their own to reach next week’s decider.
With Oceania having one direct berth to the global showpiece and another potentially available via the Play-Off Tournament, the final four showdowns in Hamilton were winner-takes-all affairs.
In the early match, a wonderful solo effort from Keren Kalapai won it for the PNG Bilums while Katie Kitching starred as New Zealand proved too good for Fiji in the evening kick-off.
Papua New Guinea goal: Keren Kalapai (45+2)
Heading into the current edition of the OFC qualifiers, American Samoa had never previously won a match, nor scored a goal but once again, with a starting XI featuring six teenagers, they went toe-to-toe with a more fancied foe. In the end, an experienced Fiji side did just enough and it was late in the first half where they struck what would prove to be the telling blow.
A quick release from goalkeeper Betty Sam saw Keren Kalapai collect the ball deep inside her own half, flick it past one defender, then race through on goal and slot past Ayana Kirismasi.
The experienced playmaker Ramona Padio, as she so often is, was a constant threat and twice came close to doubling the lead, including a rising 35-yard effort that clipped the bar midway through the second term.
American Samoa pushed for a late leveller but the Bilums’ superb central defensive partnership of captain Olivia Upaupa and Anashtasia Gunemba kept them fairly comfortably at bay.
PNG will now prepare for a final showdown with New Zealand, although they will be sweating on the fitness of Kalapai after she limped off late in the second half.
“We’re so happy with the performance and excited that we made it into the final. We knew that American Samoa wouldn’t take it easy on us, they fought very hard for the game but we stayed focussed and took every game as a grand final.”
Olivia Upaupa, Papua New Guinea captain
“It wasn’t the result we wanted and we felt like we could have played better but I have to give so much credit to PNG for their tenacity around the ball. I also really love the camaraderie among the teams in Oceania and I think they like seeing other teams rise up. There is a feeling now of let’s try and get two direct Women’s World Cup bids, I don’t how that works but we’re going to make this region better.”
Amanda Cromwell, American Samoa coach
New Zealand goals: Kelli Brown (5), Kate Taylor (21), Michaela Foster (27), Katie Kitching (37), Hannah Blake (75)
New Zealand continued their impressive march through the qualifiers, backing up a trio of consecutive second round wins with another eye-catching display in the final four.
A pair of Waikato locals, Kelli Brown and Michaela Foster struck either side of a stooping header from captain Kate Taylor as the Football Ferns raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening half hour.
Katie Kitching was once again the fulcrum of the host’s attack and she swept home a fourth and then teed up substitute Hannah Blake for the fifth with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Michael Mayne’s side storm into next week’s final with Papua New Guinea having scored 24 unanswered goals in their first four fixtures.
“It’s so exciting, we all dream of playing in World Cups, in finals and in front of home crowds so we’re all looking forward to the final next week. We saw that Papua New Guinea scored a good goal today so that’s something we need to be aware of but we’re ready for it.”
Katie Kitching, New Zealand midfielder
“I’m so proud of what the team has done over the past two months. We’ve tried to change a lot and the players bought into that but it’s so intimidating playing against teams like [New Zealand], but also a chance for us to measure where we’re at.”
Nicola Demaine, Fiji coach
Images courtesy of the Oceania Football Confederation/Phototek
