New Zealand has overcome a stern challenge from New Caledonia 4-2 to join Samoa in the final of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, and at next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco.
It’s not often New Zealand sides feel a sense of relief when they win matches in OFC competitions, but Alana Gunn’s side will feel just that after being stretched on numerous occasions by a gallant New Caledonia.
It took two goals in quick succession early in the second half from Amelia Hitchcock and Mia Humphrey to break New Caledonia’s resolve. Up until Hitchcock’s wonderful 52nd minute strike, the Kiwis had largely been second best.
Isla Robson had opened the scoring for New Zealand in the 15th minute from close range after New Caledonia had failed to clear the ball in the penalty area. But after New Caledonia mustered their first attempt on goal through Kinë Hmaen in the 21st minute, they grew in confidence and found space through the middle, running at the New Zealand defence.
New Caledonia began to push players forward. Hmaen was at the forefront of their attacks and in the 29th minute she delivered something special. Receiving the ball 10 metres outside the penalty box, she turned away from New Zealand defender Lexi Hedington and fired a brilliant left footed effort past a diving Nienke Lemmens in the New Zealand goal.
Hmaen had another half chance moments later, and then five minutes before half-time she played an exquisite ball through to Hawẽ Ijelipa who forced Lemmens into making a good save to deny Ijelipa from putting New Caledonia in front on her 16th birthday.
New Zealand to their credit regrouped at half-time and after withstanding concerted New Caledonia pressure early in the second spell, Hitchcock’s brilliant strike from 25 metres out, turned the match. Three minutes later Mia Humphrey burst down the right and calmly slotted the ball past Kessyna Nyipie in the New Caledonia goal.
With a two goal buffer, New Zealand was able to largely control the tempo for the remainder of the match. They added a fourth goal through Humphrey two minutes from full-time, before Emmanuelle Buama scored a consolation goal for New Caledonia in injury time. New Zealand will face Samoa in a repeat of last year’s final on Thursday for the title while New Caledonia will play Solomon Islands for third.
New Zealand 4 (Isla ROBSON 15’ Amelia HITCHCOCK 52’ Mia HUMPFREY 55’ 88’)
New Caledonia 2 (Kinë HMAEN 29’ Emmanuelle BUAMA 90+12)
HT: 1-1