India-May Mann produced a moment of individual brilliance to seal a 1-0 victory for Tonga over Fiji, securing 5th place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Apia.
The decisive strike came in the 70th minute when the young forward latched onto a through ball and delivered an exquisite finish to put Tonga ahead. Just four minutes later, Fiji spurned their best opportunity of the match as Teonila Levuiciva fired narrowly wide of the left-hand post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Fiji coach Marika Rodu had rotated almost his entire starting XI to give squad members valuable minutes, but his side were second best for much of the opening half. Tonga dominated possession and created several half-chances, coming closest when Mann caused chaos in the Fiji defence just before the break. Despite the pressure, neither side fashioned a clear-cut opportunity, and the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.
Six changes at the interval injected more urgency into Fiji’s attack, and they nearly broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when substitute Adi Reva’s powerful strike from the edge of the box was saved superbly by Tongan goalkeeper Ofa Filimone.
Tonga responded with a pair of chances, first Mann forcing a sharp save from Fiji’s Beatrice Qaniuci in the 59th minute, followed shortly by Liani Vaha testing the keeper from distance.
Into injury time and Shania Singh forced a diving save from Filimone in what proved to be Fiji’s last chance to force a penalty shootout.
Mann’s well-taken winner ultimately proved decisive, capping a strong all-round performance from Tonga, who fully deserved their victory, while Fiji were left to settle for sixth place.
Fiji: 0
Tonga: 1 ( India-may MANN 70’)
HT: 0-0