Samoa have clinched top spot in Group A at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Apia after a 1-0 win over Tahiti in the final Group match.
Knowing his side were safely in the semi-finals with a game to spare, and with a vastly superior goal difference to second placed New Caledonia, coach Juan Chang Urrea had the luxury of resting eight players from the side which thumped Fiji in their second Group match.
The first half was largely devoid of genuine clear cut scoring opportunities and as the weather deteriorated; it made it tougher for players under foot.
Seven minutes into the second spell with pools of water appearing all over the pitch, referee Michael Urui of the Solomon Islands made the decision to postpone the match for 30 minutes.
Remarkably the rain stopped and the drainage at the ground worked a treat. Play resumed approximately 40 minutes after the players left the field.
Substitute Madison Cahill had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Samoa in the 63rd minute after a beautiful cross from the right by Taliyah Taaga. Arriving at the six-yard box Cahill couldn’t get a solid connection on the ball and her shot went wide.
Chang Urrea made several changes including bringing on star attacker Cali Willis to try to break the deadlock. Samida Tumanuvao forced a strong save from Tahiti keeper Kalea Torohia and then Willis turned provider in the 81st minute when she swung in a cross from the left for Tova Auvaa to fire in a superb right footed effort into the corner of the net.
Samoa now awaits the runner up in Group B in Monday’s semi-finals while Tahiti will playoff for 7th and 8th on Tuesday.
Tahiti 0
Samoa 1 (Tova AUVAA 81’)
HT 0-0