Captain Deslyn Siniu, taking home her fourth Pacific Games gold medal, had nothing but praise for her young teammates following an impress display in the final.
“I’m so stoked right now. I’m just very happy for the girls, they played their hearts out tonight and I’m very proud of them,” she says.
“I think the girls stuck to the game plan, which was to play as a team. They did that and we really did well.”
Papua New Guinea played the match of their tournament pressing high and winning balls all over the park while closing down any advance their opponents tried to make.
New Caledonia had a couple of chances early on in the first half, but they were either just off target or had their efforts captured by Fidelma Watpore, in goal for the home side. Play makers in New Caledonia’s other matches, Myranda Rabah, Celine Xolawawa and Christelle Wahnawe, were shut out of the tonight’s game – and that was all part of the plan according to Siniu.
“We had the game under control. We knew who the playmakers were so they were heavily guarded. We worked as a team to put those key players under pressure and the girls did that very well.”
As New Caledonia struggled with their normally controlled first touch, Papua New Guinea continued to pounce and were rewarded for that sustained pressure just 20 minutes in.
The diminutive Marie Kaipu raced in on a fumble from Honorine Pouidja, putting the ball in the net and putting her side in the lead. They side remained unrelenting in their pursuit of a second goal, and while they enjoyed enjoyed possession, Marielle Haocas, Brenda Kenon and even attacker Myranda Rabah were constantly closing down the threat.
For New Caledonia it’s disappointment once more as they go home with silver for the second Pacific Games on the trot, but coach Kamali Fitialeata, while unhappy with the result tonight, remains proud of his side’s journey.
“I think the players aren’t used to playing in front of a crowd like this. I think the emotion throughout this match has overcome the objective we came here with, I sensed the girls were holding back and that, unfortunately contributed to the loss.
“But we were facing a very good side, the girls shouldn’t be embarrassed. I’m proud of them, they came close to a gold medal but bravo to Team PNG.”
In the Bronze Medal match Cook Islands nabbed their first ever medal at the Pacific Games, an historic moment that almost got the better of coach Tuka Tisam.
“I’m proud of the girls, I’m very happy and full of emotions right now. These girls have been working hard from the beginning right up until now and they did so well out there.
“We’ve just made history again, twice here in Port Moresby now. I just can’t explain the feeling, it’s just awesome.”
Samoa had the closest chances to start with but Cook Islands were able to once again prove their defensive mettle, as despite having just two substitutes today, were once again solid in their ability to deny goals.
Making a massive difference was Tisam’s decision to play a little higher than in previous matches, which paid dividends as they were able to have more pops at goal and from much closer range.
They finally broke down Samoa’s defences in the 41st minute when Tepaeru Toka’s shot bobbled over the line, with a little help from a Samoa defender. The Cook Islands made one of their two subs at half-time as Moeroa Harmon – who had been playing outstandingly well before getting injured – was replaced by Helena Ngauora.
The fresh legs proved effective as Cook Islands continued to press high until Maeva Carr found the back of the net in the 54th minute off a corner. Samoa made some changes of their own as they went in search of an equaliser but in the end the determined Cook Islanders did enough to retain their two goal lead and secure their first ever Pacific Games medal in the process.
After an impressive campaign it was a tough finish for Samoa coach Tala Salamasina.
“The girls did alright, I’m proud of them even if we did come out second best. We achieved a lot of things that no other Samoan team has done at the Pacific Games before so the girls should hold their heads up very, very high.”

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