Fiji have recorded two wins from two in Group B at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tonga in front of a home crowd in Suva.
Tonga provided stubborn resistance for the tournament hosts, but Fiji’s pressure inevitably proved too much, scoring two late goals to seal victory.
Fiji won 12-0 when the two nations met in the group stages of the 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Nouméa, although were forced to work a lot harder this time around.
The hosts had opened their campaign with a win over the Solomon Islands, whilst Tonga were in need of some points after a 3-o defeat to Vanuatu.
Cema Nasau scored a hat-trick in the 2018 meeting and came close to opening the scoring when played in-behind the Tongan defence by Adi Litia Bakaniceva.
She was left with just Keira Wolfgramm to beat, but the keeper came off her line to make a big save inside the first ten minutes.
Tonga did well to survive the first half hour, however Nasau eventually had her say, providing the game’s opening goal.
Breaking free of her defender in the box, Nasau head a corner delivery into the back of the net in the 30th minute, pulling the hosts ahead, whilst adding to her two previous goals at the 2025 event, and her 10 all-time at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup.
Fiji had the chance to inflict further damage in the first half, but Anisha Dwarka, and Narieta Leba both missed opportunities. Dwarka pulled a free kick effort just wide of the left post, whilst Leba’s shot across goal narrowly evaded the tap-in of a team-mate at the back post.
Tonga tried to offer a threat on the counterattack but were often outnumbered by Fijian defenders when moving forward throughout the contest.
They were at least far more competitive than their 2018 showing though, and their best moment of the match came just before half-time, when Gabriela Filimoetau struck a right-footed effort inches over the crossbar.
Fiji coach Angeline Chua made four changes before the hour mark, but Tonga remained stubborn in defence, and became difficult to break down.
Preeya Singh’s long-range effort found the hands of Wolfgramm, whilst Bakaniceva fired a hopeful shot well wide, as Fiji’s lead remained just one goal.
Nasau had the chance to score her second, only to head the ball straight at Wolfgramm.
The nerves were settled in the 80th minute though, substitute Sereana Naweni latching onto a pass into the box from Bakaniceva, rounding the keeper to score Fiji’s second goal, and wrapping up another three points for the tournament hosts.
Tabunase added a third in the final minute of injury-time, scrapping the ball across the line from a corner delivery off the left flank.
Thanks to other results in Group B, neither team’s fate at the tournament is entirely sealed yet though.
Tonga will need a big victory over the Solomon Islands on the final matchday to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals, whilst a point with Vanuatu would guarantee top spot in Group B for Fiji.
Fiji: 3 (Cema NASAU 30’, Sereana NAWENI 80’, Elesi TABUNASE 90+7′)
Tonga: 0
HT: 1-0
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek