Leimata Simon has lit up the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 with a stunning hat-trick to lead Vanuatu to an impressive 3-0 win over Tonga in the opening Group B match in Suva.
The striker scored twice in the first half and saved her best for last, a 53rd minute long range effort that will take some beating to not be the goal of the tournament.
Jean Robert Yelou’s side had struggled in recent OFC tournaments, and they failed to get out of their Group at last year’s OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Samoa. However, by delivering a composed and accomplished performance against a talented young Tongan side, they sent a clear message to Group B rivals Fiji and the Solomon Islands — they’re a serious threat to anyone in this tournament.
Vanuatu made an impressive start to the match and dominated the opening minutes with Tonga unable to get out of their half. Captain Brenda Anis and Jane Alatoa dictated play in the middle of the park, and they were rewarded for their dominance in the 22nd minute when the ball was thread through to Simon who was too quick for the advancing Keira Wolfgramm in the Tonga goal and slipped the ball into the back of the net.
Tonga in response threw players forward and they were able to win a couple of free kicks in promising positions deep inside the Vanuatu half. But nothing came of them. Simon had the first chance to add to her tally just before the break when put through on goal by Anis, but her left footed shot sliced wide. Then a minute later she made amends on the stroke of half-time, pouncing on a deflected shot which bobbled in the air and her header looped over a despairing Wolfgramm.
Tonga coach Kilifi Uele made a couple of changes at half-time bringing on US based attacker Leila Hausia-Haugen for striker Ana Polovili and Lavinia Afu for Tamaa Faletau. The move almost paid off immediately as Hausia-Haugen cut into the box, but the ball was scrambled clear by Vanuatu’s defence. And to be fair there was more of a cutting edge to the Tongan attack.
It was against the run of play that saw Simon bag her hat-trick, collecting the ball 30 metres out she rifled a powerful curling strike high into the roof of the net. It was a special goal, and it knocked the stuffing out of a potential Tongan comeback.
Vanuatu now has a couple of days off before meeting Solomon Islands on Tuesday while Tonga must regroup and play hosts Fiji in what already shapes as a must win match if they are to entertain thoughts of making the semi-finals.
Tonga 0
Vanuatu 3 (Leimata SIMON 22′ 45+3’ 53’)
HT: 0-2
Photo credit OFC Media via Phototek