Samoa have finished fifth at OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026, defeating the Solomon Islands 2-0 at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Having missed out on FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification for the first time since 2024, captain Taimane Devoux had a hand in both goals for Samoa, setting up the first, and scoring the second to finish their campaign on a high.
Her cutback for Brooklyn Leaupepe-Nickel in the box provided the avenue for the opening goal in the 34th minute, the latter picking out the top-right corner from close range.
Devoux then wrapped up the win for Samoa with a half-volley into the top-left corner after the Solomon Islands failed to clear a delivery into the box in the 57th minute.
The tournament hosts came close to scoring a consolation when substitute Fred Toro Mau forced a save out of Susahna Peacock from close range in the final ten minutes, but finished their campaign without a win from their four matches.
Whilst they won’t be heading to a third successive global finals, it’s Samoa’s second successive win over the Solomon Islands at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, having beaten them 5-0 in last year’s semi-finals, and signifies a positive end to their stay in Honiara.
Solomon Islands: 0
Samoa: 2 (Brooklyn LEAUPEPE-NICKEL 34’, Taimane DEVOUX 57’)
HT: 0-1
Earlier in the day, the Cook Islands finished seventh with a 3-2 win over Tonga.
Qualifying tournament winners in Port Moresby at the start of the year, the Cook Islands concluded their OFC U-16 Women’s Championship campaign with a win, scoring all three of their goals in the first half.
Metuamaru Arere scored their first goal of the championship from the penalty spot in just the sixth minute, and also turned provider for the second, threading a perfect pass in-behind the Tongan defence for Juhani Mustonen to score.
Tonga found an instant response through Ane Tali, but the Cooks scored their third when the ball broke loose for Kierly Neagle, who ran the length of the attacking half to convert a one-on-one opportunity with the opposing goalkeeper.
A fabulous strike into the bottom-left corner of the net from India May-Mann proved a consolation as Tonga fell to their lowest-ever finish at the championship and confirmed their relegation to the qualifying tournament for next year’s edition.
Meanwhile, the Cook Islands will return to the championship in 2027, having earnt automatic qualification for the first time in three years.
Cook Islands: 3 (Metuamaru ARERE (P) 6’, Juhani MUSTONEN 27’, Kierly NEAGLE 40’)
Tonga: 2 (Ane TALI 30’, India MAY-MANN 66’)
HT: 3-1
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek