Samoa and New Zealand Dominate Opening Matches of Oceania U16 Tournament

The Oceania U16 Women’s Championship kicked off on March 15, 2024, in Apia, with both Samoa and New Zealand securing convincing victories. Samoa overwhelmed New Caledonia with a decisive 5-0 win, while New Zealand triumphed over Tonga with a score of 4-0, setting the tone for the tournament.

Samoa, having finished as runners-up in the previous year’s championship, showcased their strength early in the match at the Samoa Football headquarters. Cali Willis emerged as a standout player, scoring two goals late in the first half to give the home team a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime. Supported by a passionate local crowd, Samoa maintained their dominance throughout the match.

Despite showing occasional signs of threat, New Caledonia struggled to convert their chances into goals. The team’s first opportunity came almost immediately after kickoff, with Shan Nemoinon shooting over the bar from a promising position. Samoa captain Breanna Kitiona had a chance to score from a corner but directed her header straight at goalkeeper Kessyna Nyipie.

Samoa continued to pressure their opponents, with Aaliyah Johnson proving to be a persistent danger. She had a powerful shot saved by Nyipie early in the match and later found the net in the second half. Substitute Samida Ann Tuimanuvao added to the scoreline with a stunning long-range effort that soared over Nyipie’s head. An own goal by New Caledonia sealed the match at 5-0.

Samoa’s head coach, Juan Chang Urrea, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. He noted the importance of adaptability in challenging conditions and emphasized the need for continuous improvement as they prepare for their next match against Fiji on Monday. “It was a very tough match, we started slow and we picked it up,” Urrea stated.

In the opposing camp, New Caledonia’s coach Kenjy Vendegoi acknowledged the superiority of the Samoan side. Speaking through a translator, he remarked, “The Samoans are favourites in the group at the moment. They presented a lot of opportunities and they completed a lot of their opportunities.”

New Zealand also began their campaign strongly, defeating Tonga 4-0. Isla Robson was the star of the match, scoring a hat trick. Despite New Zealand’s previous dominance over Tonga, having scored at least seven goals in their four prior encounters, Tonga managed to hold them to only four goals this time, showcasing their improved performance.

The match marked a significant achievement for Tonga, as it was only the fourth instance in the history of the Oceania U16 Women’s Championship that New Zealand was held to fewer than five goals. New Zealand will now face the Solomon Islands, who also secured a victory on the opening day.

In another match, the Solomon Islands edged out American Samoa with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a late first-half goal from Janita Ereanimae. American Samoa, making their debut at this level after winning the qualifying tournament earlier, showed potential and created several opportunities. Coach Diane Justus had enhanced her squad with four players based in the United States, and they demonstrated resilience, particularly in the second half.

The tournament looks promising as teams prepare for their upcoming matches. Samoa is eyeing a key encounter with Fiji, while New Caledonia faces a must-win situation against Tahiti in their next Group A fixture. Meanwhile, New Zealand will look to continue their winning streak against the Solomon Islands, while Tonga aims to revive their campaign against American Samoa. The excitement surrounding the Oceania U16 Women’s Championship continues to build as teams vie for positions in the tournament.