American Samoa made it two wins from two and booked their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers thanks to a narrow victory over Samoa in Honiara.
Having registered a famous win over Solomon Islands on Friday, Amanda Cromwell’s side knew three more points here would surely secure their place in Round 3 and they were certainly good value for the win.
Mia Toeaina was the first to close to opening the scoring, with an effort from just inside the area that was well tipped over the bar by Angelique Tuisamoa.
Alayna Fuamatu-Maafala hit the post with a header following a cross from her sister Atianna, as American Samoa continued to press for an opener.
It would eventually arrive on the stroke of half-time. Mia Toeaina rounded the goalkeeper when played through, before lifting the ball back into the six yard box for Morgan Patea to finish from close range.
Samoa were greatly improved in the second period, spending much of the 45 minutes inside the American Samoa half, but had little to show for it, leaving their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
American Samoa: 1 (Morgan PATEA 45+2′)
Samoa: 0
HT: 0-0
New Zealand will join American Samoa in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers on home soil next month, as they proved too strong for Solomon Islands at the National Stadium in Honiara.
The Kiwis knew a win would cement their place in the final four and got the perfect start, with Milly Clegg and Indiah-Paige Riley both scoring inside the first ten minutes, as Solomon Islands struggled to contain their opponents.
Hannah Blake added a third just after the half hour mark, but the home side were able to stem the flow and it remained 3-0 going into half-time.
It wouldn’t be until after an hour of play that New Zealand added to their tally. Grace Jale scoring from range before an excellent Blake volley made it 5-0.
Blake duly completed her hat-trick on 73 minutes, rounding the keeper and tucking into an empty net, with Pia Vlok getting the seventh moments later as Solomon Islands wilted.
Milly Clegg, who had began the scoring early, grabbed her second in the final ten minutes.
New Zealand: 8 (Milly CLEGG 2′ 81′, Indiah-Paige RILEY 8′, Hannah BLAKE 16′, 65′, 73′, Grace JALE 61′, Pia VLOK 75′)
Solomon Islands: 0
HT: 3-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek