Samoa’s hopes of making history on home soil were dashed by three first half goals from a determined New Zealand side.
New Zealand perhaps didn’t come into this game as the clear-cut favourites like they had done in previous years, having been put under immense pressure by New Caledonia in the semi-final, going into half time 1-1 before eventually prevailing 4-2. Samoa, meanwhile, had enjoyed a dominant win over Solomon Islands in their semi-final, which saw them enter the final as the only team at the tournament not to have conceded a goal.
It took minutes for New Zealand to put paid to that record, as Lania Fili became the first player to breach the Samoan net receiving the ball with acres of space and time outside the Samoan penalty area she was able to pick out the top corner leaving Margaret Fagasuisui Tuii stranded.
Undeterred, Samoa pressed back, with Cali Willis, a stalwart of the hosts’ 2024 history-making side, particularly dangerous down the left flank.
New Zealand, however, were keen to put the game beyond doubt as soon as possible, and took that opportunity in the 17th minute through a swift counterattack, ultimately producing a penalty after Mia Humphrey was obstructed in the penalty area. Captain Amelia Hitchcock duly stepped up to double her side’s lead from the spot.
New Zealand’s third came courtesy of a well-worked corner routine, with Ariana Vosper’s corner finding Isla Robson at the near post, and the forward glanced her header past Fagasuisui Tuii to take her side into the first half’s cooling break comfortably in control.
New Zealand started the second half picking up where they left off in the first, setting up camp in Samoa’s half comfortably, and were almost immediately rewarded after a lovely turn and shot from Robson that she was unfortunate to see rebound off the crossbar.
Samoa upped the ante, and Brielle Tautua was unlucky not to pull back a goal for Samoa on the hour mark, herself finding the goalframe off a corner.
Aaliyah Johnson then took up the mantle to try and drag Samoa back into the game, with her strength and determination fashioning several opportunities for herself from range, but she was unable to hit the target.
Ultimately, New Zealand’s first half goals were insurmountable for a persistent Samoa side to overcome, and the holders sealed a seventh straight win in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
HT: 0-3
Samoa: 0
New Zealand: 3 (Lania FILI 6’; Amelia HITCHCOCK 18’; Isla ROBSON 29’)
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek