A dominant attacking display from Papua New Guinea has secured a 8-2 victory over American Samoa at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026 – Qualifying in Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea asserted control from the outset, dominating possession and creating a wave of early chances. Chriszanne Sifas was involved immediately, delivering a dangerous ball across goal that set up Oscalina Gunemba, who struck the post.
Gunemba remained a constant threat, forcing a save from American Samoa goalkeeper Lauagaua Konelio Semi, while Emiliah Kahnna rattled the crossbar in the ninth minute. Despite their early intensity, the hosts were initially unable to find the breakthrough.
The opening goal came in the 12th minute when Sifas made a determined run through the defence and calmly finished through the goalkeeper’s legs to give Papua New Guinea a deserved lead. American Samoa struggled to relieve the pressure, pinned deep in their half as Papua New Guinea continued to control the tempo.
The advantage doubled in the 20th minute through Gunemba, who finished clinically into the top corner after a well worked move led by captain Anjelika Raminai. Gunemba added her second in the 36th minute, racing from halfway and beating the defence with pace before finding the net.
Just three minutes later, Sifas capitalised on the goalkeeper being out of position to score her second, before Papua New Guinea extended their lead further in the 42nd minute through to Joylin Lisah. Sifas then completed her hat-trick on the stroke of halftime, cleverly chipping in a corner from Glenda Danny to cap off an outstanding first-half performance and hand her side a 6–0 lead at the break.
American Samoa returned for the second half with renewed energy and intent, showing a much stronger presence in attack and enjoying more time in the Papua New Guinea half. Their improvement was rewarded in the 48th minute when Abigail Lam Sam scored her team’s first goal of the tournament, her effort taking a deflection on its way into the net. The goal lifted their confidence, as they continued to press forward and challenge the hosts more effectively than in the opening period.
Salvation Taula was able to pull back another for American Samoa, but a late own goal restored Papua New Guinea’s five-goal lead to quash any hopes of a comeback.
Delma Duadak would have the final say for Papua New Guinea, adding their eighth, when breaking through on goal and smuggling the ball past the ‘keeper.
The result eliminates American Samoa from contention and sets up a winner-takes-all encounter between Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands later this week
Papua New Guinea: 8 (Chriszanne SIFAS 12′, 39′, 44′, Oscalina GUNEMBA 20′, 36′, Joylin LISAH 42′, Own Goal 70′, Delma DUADAK 89′)
American Samoa: 2 (Abigail LAM SAM 48′, Salvation TAULA 66′)
HT: 6-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media