Les Cagous are the only team to have progressed past the pool stages at this point, although Papua New Guinea are still in good shape in Group A despite the loss, and Cook Islands have put themselves in pole position in Group B with a 1-0 win over Tonga.
The day’s other results saw Fiji and Solomon Islands pick up their first wins, a hard-fought 2-1 triumph against Guam and 4-0 dismantling of American Samoa respectively.
But the highlight of the action at Stade PLGC was always going to be the eagerly-anticipated clash between the hosts and defending champions and it lived up to expectations in front of a large crowd.
Papua New Guinea are regarded as the benchmark women’s team for the Pacific Island nations outside of New Zealand but Les Cagous more than matched them during an entertaining encounter and the defeated side will now know it has a fight on its hands to retain the Pacific Games crown.
Despite the first half containing plenty of free-flowing football and several good chances, neither net was bulged and it wasn’t until 10 minutes after the break that the rowdy crowd was sent into raptures for the first time.
Captain Christelle Wahnawe, who has caught the eye throughout the tournament with her inspirational play, again proved the savour for Les Cagous when the ball broke to her at the far post and she rifled a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Fidelma Watpore.
But the lead lasted only a matter of seconds as Ramona Morris headed home a corner two minutes later to make it 1-1. It looked like that’s how it would stay as the clocked ticked along to fulltime but New Caledonia substitute Kim Maguire had other ideas, coming off the bench in the 74th minute and smashing the winner home with just a minute of regular time left.
The result means New Caledonia, who have completed all their pool fixtures, have won Group A and will now wait with interest to see who they will meet from Group B in Wednesday’s semi-finals.
Cook Islands, who finished third at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup last September, will hope to have their name in the hat for those semi-finals and stayed on track when a Tepaeru Toka goal proved enough to hold off a spirited Tonga challenge.
A higher-scoring win had taken place earlier as Solomon Islands earned their first victory in style, Laydah Samani leading the way with a hat-trick in the first 25 minutes against American Samoa.
The American Samoans, who have now conceded 19 goals and scored none, must have feared the worst at that point but regrouped well to frustrate the Solomon attack and keep their opponents out until the 65th minute when Betty Maenu’u pounced.
The action was more even in Fiji’s tussle with Guam and the victors were relieved to hear the final whistle after surviving a late fightback. Stand-in skipper Viniana Riwai, who took on the armband as regular captain Raijieli Lewasoqevula was suspended after her sending off against Tonga, showed her charges how it’s done with a stunning strike in the 55th minute and another impressive effort from Laijipa Daini had them two up with under 20 minutes to go.
In need of taking something from this match after drawing their opening outing, Guam piled on the pressure in the dying stages and a dramatic comeback was on the cards when captain Kristain Thompson slotted an 87th-minute penalty. But time was not on Guam’s side and they were unable to breach the Fijian defence again in the last minutes.
The final women’s group matches at the XIV Pacific Games take place on Monday while the men’s teams will return to action tomorrow.

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