Our women play PNG in semi-final showdown

The Vodafone Fijian Women’s football side face Papua New Guinea on Thursday in the first semi-final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup. This was after the Marika Rodu-coached side were beaten 10-0 by New Zealand in their final pool game at Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, New Caledonia last night. Led by striker Luisa Tamanitoakula, the Fijians played a defensive game as they rested their top players for the semi-final. New Zealand led 4-0 at halftime with two goals each to Annalie Longo and Sarah Gregorious.

In the second half Meikayla Moore slotted in the fifth goal with the other two from Katie Rood while defender Mereoni Tora scored an own goal. Gregorious scored her hat-trick with the goal from Emma Rolston.

Meanwhile, hosts New Caledonia held off a spirited Samoa to win 2-0 and go through to their first OFC Women’s Nations Cup semi-final, joining group leaders Papua New Guinea who came from behind against Tahiti, to win 3-1. They take on favourites New Zealand. New Caledonia coach Kamali Fitialeata was delighted his side came through with a win to put them in good stead ahead of the semi-final.

“We’re in the semi-finals yes, but I think today what made me happiest is that the players showed today what they are capable of,” he said.

“We played our game today and that’s what pleased me the most.

“The word of the day was ‘patient’, patient, patient, patient and today the players applied our advice.”

New Caledonia didn’t get off the mark quite as quickly as they might have hoped with Samoa proving strong tactically, setting up a deep block with pace up front for the counter attack.