New Zealand secured the top spot in Group B at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in Tahiti with a dominant 11-0 victory over Vanuatu at Stade Paea. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
The four semifinalists in the OFC Under 19 Women's Championship in Tahiti have been confirmed, with the winner and runner-up set to secure spots at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland.
New Zealand, who went through Group B undefeated, are clear favourites to take the title again. They will face the Cook Islands in the second semifinal on Thursday.
The tussle for the second spot at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup will be between Fiji and New Caledonia.
Fiji topped Group A and also remained undefeated, with wins over the Cook Islands and Tonga.
Unfortunately, Samoa, who will be competing in this year's World Cup, opted out of the qualifiers due to financial challenges.
In Group B, New Caledonia drew 1-1 with hosts Tahiti on Monday at Stade Paea.
Leon Waitronyie's side were worthy winners and now advance to face Fiji in Wednesday's semifinal (Tahiti time).
Tahiti entered the match needing all three points to progress, while New Caledonia required only a draw.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) said after a cagey, goalless first-half, the visitors turned up the pressure immediately after the restart.
Captain Julia Honokoko, who was also New Caledonia's talisman, unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box that crashed off the inside of the post and into the net, sparking jubilant celebrations from the New Caledonians in the 55th minute.
Tahiti won a penalty in the 89th minute which Le Gayic converted, but it was not enough as the teams fought to a draw. The result pushed New Caledonia into the semifinals ahead of the hosts.
New Zealand were dominant in their destruction of Vanuatu, finishing the game with an 11-0 scoreline in the end.
Captain Emily Lyon scored five goals.
Coach Callum Holmes rotated his squad, making six changes from the side that beat New Caledonia 4-0, while his Vanuatu counterpart Joel Rarua made four adjustments following their 2-0 loss to Tahiti, the OFC reported.
In Group A, the semifinalists were decided over the weekend, when Fiji defeated Tonga 2-1.
The win also gave the Cook Islands the lifeline they needed to get into the top four, after the side had earlier upset Tonga 1-0 in their pool game.
Fiji scored twice in the first-half through Elesi Tabunase and Sereana Naweni.
Tonga defended strongly in the second-half and also scored through Anela Makaafi.
The semifinals will be held on Thursday (New Zealand time), with Fiji opening the day against New Caledonia, while New Zealand will square off against the Cook Islands later that afternoon.
The two winners will advance as Oceania representatives to the the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup scheduled to take place from 5-25 September.
The final and third-place play-off are scheduled for Sunday New Zealand time.
