Fiji were a relative unknown coming into this tournament but more than proved themselves a worthy contender with their desire and drive against the hosts.
Powerful and athletic, Cema Nasau was an exciting addition to the midfield. With her ability to move the ball, and the finishing of players like Aliza Hussein Fiji will be a tough side for Vanuatu to deal with.

A strong debut on the regional stage for Yogendra Dutt’s charges, but the experienced former Ba coach can see room for improvement.
“I know the word Vanuatu and while I haven’t seen this side play I’ve seen the boys play,” Dutt says of their upcoming opponent.
“I haven’t seen the girls play but it will be another surprise, we’ll be playing a team we don’t know just as it was with the Cooks, and we will do our best.”
While Joel Rarua’s team have talent to burn in the form of Annie Gere, Leimata Simon and Delphine Kalmet on attack, the side’s lack of competitive football showed against Papua New Guinea.
Making things difficult for the slight Ni-Vanuatu players will be the physical nature of the Fijian game but Rarua will no doubt have some ideas on the best approach to counter that.
“There were some positive things to take from our last game,” Rarua says.
“But we need to work harder on executing our plan that we prepare. We will have a look at Fiji and know what to expect and then hopefully the girls can play better.”
Papua New Guinea’s comprehensive opening victory has put them in good stead to pull ahead of the Group B pack if they can follow up with a similar performance against their hosts Cook Islands.
Margaret Aka’s side boasts some of the most experienced players of this competition behind New Zealand and that showed in their approach against Vanuatu.
Belinda Giada was expected to prove the difference and did just that scooping four of the seven goals. However it was very much a team effort from the Papua New Guineans as they put on a great display of passing and anticipation.
With a few niggles and knocks, Aka will be reassessing her side ahead of this next encounter with a view to keeping her squad as intact as possible for the knockout stage should they qualify.
“We will take it easy in the build-up to give the girls some rest, but we need to work on our defence ahead of the Cook Islands match,” she says.
“We want to get better at our man and zonal marking, and we need to work together as a team a lot better on that side of the ball.”
Cook Islands will be disappointed they couldn’t deliver a win for the home crowd, but coach Tuka Tisam can’t say they didn’t give their all on the pitch.
Unlucky to pick up an early injury in the midfield, Tisam’s hand was forced as he had to bring on Nicola Marurai a little earlier than intended. Despite that, the youngster was an inspired addition with her commitment and had the crowd on the edge of their seats with a tantalisingly close long range effort.
Captain Susan Williams will have another tough task to rally the side against Papua New Guinea while also having to deal with the speed and talent of the opposing strikers.
Tisam says his side needs to regroup, and come back with the same determination they displayed against the physical Fijians.
“We need to improve for the next game against PNG. I’m guessing it’s going to be physical again,” he says.
“We’ll come out again and try and play attacking football.”
Additional Information:
Fiji vs. Vanuatu
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Saturday 16 January 2016
Kick-off: 2.30pm (local)
FIJvVAN U17W
Referee: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria TAMALELAGI (SAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey SOLODIA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Fiji
Vital Statistics:
Fiji’s opening victory against Cook Islands is their first at an OFC U-17 Women’s Championship, and comes with their first appearance at this competition.
The Players: Goalkeeper Francine Lockington height alone sets her apart from many of her counterparts but her movement, technique and leadership are also a cut above.
Fiji: 2. Cecelia NAINIMA, 3. Miliana NARUKU, 4. Margaret TABUANITOGA, 5. Sereima NAVUGA, 6. Bulou NAUGAVULE, 7. Laca TIKOSAYA, 8. Maca RALAGI, 9. Silina QARAWAQA, 10. Aliza HUSSEIN, 11. Louisa SIMMONS, 12. Ledua SENISEA, 13. Titilia WAQABCA, 14. Mere CIRIA, 15. Koleta LIKUCULACULA, 16. Cema NASAU, 17. Adi BAKANICEVA, 18. Harina ERASITO, 19. Francine LOCKINGTON (GK), 20. Laite SALAMEI (GK)
Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)
Vanuatu
Vital Statistics:
Annie Gere’s converted penalty against Papua New Guinea marks Vanuatu’s first ever goal at an OFC U-17 Women’s Championship.
The Players: Delphine Kalemet and Annie Gere both showed remarkable on-ball ability as they cut through the midfield.
Vanuatu: 1. Ruth TATE (GK), 2. Lilian SAWON, 3. Lily NIHAMBAT, 4. Shania SIRI, 5. Dorolyn SAMSON, 6. Leiwia TANGARASE, 7. Emilia TARAVAKI, 8. Cynthia NGWELE, 9. Melissa BANI, 10. Annie GERE, 12. Vaina BONG, 13. Hannah TAIWIA, 14. Tisha RONNY, 15. Keren COULON, 16. Delphine KALMET, 17. Leimata SIMON, 18. Melinda FRED, 21. Vanessa KILETIA
Coach: Joel RARUA (VAN)
Papua New Guinea vs. Cook Islands
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Saturday 16 January 2016
Kick-off: 5pm (local)
PNGvCOK U17W
Referee: Tapita LELENGA (TGA)
Assistant Referee 1: Lata KAUMATULE (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bernard MUTUKERA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics:
Seven goals are the most Papua New Guinea have ever scored in a single OFC U-17 Women’s Championship match.
The Players: Belinda Giada lived up to expectations with her attacking prowess while Anna Malari also proved an effective attacker.
Papua New Guinea: 1. Faith KASIRAY (GK), 2. Belinda GIADA, 3. Margaret JOSEPH, 4. Alison PAULIAS, 5. Robertlynn KIG, 6. Francisca MANI, 7. Natasha SAGEM, 8. Loretta YAGUM, 9. Selina UNAMBA, 10. Isabella NATERA, 11. Mercedes HAPOTO, 12. Anna SOS, 13.Serah TAMBOL, 14. Melissa JOFARI, 15. Anna MALARA, 16. Anila ROBERT, 17. Bridgit PAIME, 18. Samantha MATAN, 19. Ewin NANO, 20. Veronica VANUA (GK)
Coach: Margaret AKA (PNG)
Cook Islands
Vital Statistics:
The Cook Islands lost by a slim 3-2 margin to Papua New Guinea when the two sides last met at this level in 2012.
The Players: Substitute Nicole Marurai was effective in her commitment to making big tackles and chasing down any loose ball.
Cook Islands: 1. Mata EMMANUEL (GK), 2. Nicole MARURAI, 3. Issy MANA, 4. Amber MATEARIKI, 5. Lyric DAVISON, 6. Moeroa HARMON, 7. Geneva MILES, 8. Piri MURARE, 9. Ngame TARINGA, 10. Tehinnah TATUAVA, 11. Tina AREAI, 12. Josephine KURAIA, 13. Kayleena KERMODE, 14. Ngapare NOOVAO, 15. Nathalia VIKING, 17. Susan WILLIAMS, 18. Daimzel RONGOKEA, 19. Ngarangi MAPU, 20. Dora IRIPA (GK)
Coach: Tuka TISAM (COK)