New Zealand have booked their place in the semi-finals of the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in Tahiti after a gritty 4-0 victory over New Caledonia at Stade Paea.
Head coach Callum Holmes rotated his squad heavily, making six changes from the side that swept past Tahiti 7-0, while New Caledonia counterpart Leon Waitronyie introduced three new faces to his starting XI.
The match was physical from the outset, with New Zealand made to work hard for openings. Isla Cleall-Harding had the first clear chance in the 8th minute, meeting a Grace Bartlett cross with a header straight at New Caledonia goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben.
Just eight minutes later, Lily Brazendale produced a moment of brilliance. Cutting in from an angle, she unleashed a superb left-foot strike that flew into the top corner, an early contender for goal of the tournament. Moments later, Amber de Wit almost doubled the advantage, forcing Aben into a fingertip save that pushed the ball onto the post.
New Caledonia threatened in the 28th minute when substitute Julia Honokoko struck from the edge of the box, but New Zealand keeper Sophie Campbell dealt with it comfortably. Despite New Zealand’s dominance of possession, Aben kept her side in the contest, ensuring the score remained 1-0 at the break.
Holmes introduced Poppy O’Brien and Emily Lyon after halftime, and New Zealand lifted their intensity. Lyon went close early before Cleall-Harding missed a golden one-on-one chance. De Wit then had a goal ruled out for offside in the 56th minute, while Honokoko forced Campbell into a sharp save with a fierce volley 10 minutes later.
New Zealand wrapped up the match late, with de Wit linking up with Lyon to score in the 70th minute. Zoe Benson then added two goals in the final minutes, one from the penalty spot and another with a composed finish, sealing a 4-0 win and a place in the semi-finals.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
HT: 1-0
NEW ZEALAND 4 (Lily BRAZENDALE 16’ Amber DE WIT 70’, Zoe BENSON 86′, 90+3)
NEW CALEDONIA 0