Fiji have prevailed 4-3 over the Solomon Islands to join New Zealand in the semi-finals of OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026 from Group A.
A crunch clash on the final matchday in the group, Fiji always held the upper hand on the scoreboard but were kept on their toes by the tournament hosts in a seven-goal thriller at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Two goals in eleven first half minutes from Varanisese Naiqarau set the young Kulas on their way. Naiqarau opened the scoring in the 11th minute, breaking in-behind and scoring with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The Solomon Islands knew only a win would send them through to the knockout stages and keep their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying dreams alive, but they left themselves too open defensively when Naiqarau caught them on the counter for her and Fiji’s second goal in the 21st minute.
Claudisha Waokea gave the hosts a lifeline in the 34th minute when she tapped into an empty net from a pinpoint delivery across the face of goal, but an own goal from Safiya Bako shortly after, restored Fiji’s two-goal advantage at the break.
Three goals in four minutes characterised a frenetic period in the second half. Waokea scored her second in the 61st minute to keep the Solomon Islands hanging on, but Temalesi Masa responded with Fiji’s fourth less than 60 seconds later, ultimately proving decisive.
Freda Toro Mau scored the Solomon Islands third in the 64th minute, but they couldn’t find another to level the match, despite striking the crossbar from a direct free kick – not enough to get through.
Instead, the final whistle brought jubilation for Fiji, who are back in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship for the first time since 2023, and just one win away from qualifying for a first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Solomon Islands: 3 (Claudisha WAOKEA 34’, 61’, Freda TORO MAU 64’)
Fiji: 4 (Varanisese NAIQARAU 10’, 21’, Own Goal 42’, Temalesi MASI 62’)
HT: 1-3
Earlier in the day New Zealand claimed top spot in Group A with a convincing 8-0 victory over the Cook Islands.
The defending champions scored four goals in either half, Jess Saunders and Sienna Cassie both scoring doubles as New Zealand finished the group stage with nine points and three wins from three.
Lexi Heddington opened the scoring inside the first two minutes, beginning an onslaught which saw Isabella Wilkinson, Saunders, and Ruby Barber, all find the back of the net before half-time.
The Young Football Ferns had defeated the Cook Islands 12-0 in their previous meeting at the championship in 2023, and this was similarly dominant.
Sienna Casson came off the bench to score a quickfire double in the space of twelve minutes, before Saunders got her second, and fellow substitute Elizabeth Renell rounded out the scoring with the eighth in stoppage-time.
New Zealand now move on to face the runner-up from Group B in the semi-finals, whilst Fiji will face the winner of the same group. As well as progressing to the final of OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026, the winner of either semi-final will also qualify for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands will move on to the play-off for fifth place, and the Cook Islands will participate in the play-off for seventh.
Cook Islands: 0
New Zealand: 8 (Lexi HEDDINGTON 2’, Isabella WILKINSON13’, Jess SAUNDERS 34’, 88’, Ruby BARBER 44’, Sienna CASSON 71’, 83’, Elizabeth RENNELL 90+4’)
HT: 0-4
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek