A Cali Willis brace late in the first half has helped Samoa to a dominant 5-0 victory over New Caledonia in their opening match at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Apia.
The hosts dominated much of the contest, roared on by a small but vocal home crowd, though New Caledonia showed flashes of danger on the break, only to be undone by a lack of precision in the final third.
New Caledonia had the first real opportunity almost straight from kick-off, with Shan Nemoinon firing over from a promising position on the edge of the box. Moments later, Samoa captain Breanna Kitiona found herself unmarked from a corner but headed directly at goalkeeper Kessyna Nyipie.
Aaliyah Johnson was a constant threat for the home side, seeing a powerful effort saved superbly by Nyipie in the 6th minute, before miscuing another chance with the New Caledonian keeper caught off her line.
Despite limited possession, Kine Hmaen looked lively for New Caledonia and forced a save from Margaret Fagasuisui Tui in the 16th minute.
Johnson struck the outside of the post in the 26th minute as Samoa continued to press, and their persistence paid off six minutes before the break. After a surging run down the right, Johnson squared for Willis to fire home from close range.
Samoa doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, with Johnson again the provider. Her pinpoint cross found Willis, who controlled the bouncing ball before calmly slotting past a helpless Nyipie.
New Caledonia coach Kenly Vendegou rang the changes early in the second half in an attempt to spark his side into life.
Samoa nearly added a third just before the hour mark when Briele Tautua’s goal-bound header took a deflection and went out for a corner.
New Caledonia fashioned a couple of half chances midway through the second period, but the Samoan defence stood firm to deny both Hmaen and Omelia Koroma.
Six minutes from time Taimane Devoux played a delightful ball through for Willis who was denied her hattrick by the brilliant Nyipie.
But the pressure was relentless and the hosts scored three late goals in injury time through a Johnson header, the best finish of the game, a powerful shot from substitute Samida Ann Tumanuvao and an own goal to blow out the scoreline.
Samoa will now look ahead to a top-of-the-table encounter against Fiji on Monday, while New Caledonia face a must-win match with Tahiti in the other Group A fixture.
SAMOA 5 (Cali WILLIS 39’, 45+3’ Aaliyah JOHNSON 90+2, Samida Ann TUMANUVAO 90+4, OG 90+7)
NEW CALEDONIA 0
HT: 2-0