Fiji will take on Papua New Guinea in the final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup after beating the Solomon Islands 3-1 in their semi-final clash at the HFC Stadium in Suva.
However, it was the visitors who scored first via a penalty by captain Ileen Pegi 10 minutes into the game to give the Solomons the lead.
Cheered on by the home crowd, a Trina Davis cross found the head of Cema Nasau who nodded in the equaliser past Solomons keeper Corrina Rotoava. A second goal by Nasau 13 minutes later put Fiji in the lead.
Luisa Tamanitoakula who started off the bench slotted in Fiji’s third to seal the win for the Fiji Kulas.
The Kulas march on for the finale against PNG on Saturday while the Solomon Islands will face Samoa in the third/fourth playoff.
Post-match comments (OFC):
Fiji head coach Lisa Cole:
“It is going to take a team effort (to win the final) which has been the case the whole tournament.
“Really, everybody needs to give what they can, stay with the gameplan, make sure they know their role, do their role well and make sure they keep their agreements.
“If we do those things well we are going to be a tough team to beat but we have also got to defend really well against a good Papua New Guinea squad.”
Solomon Islands head coach Batram Suri:
“We are underdogs and we have come this far so we are proud and I think the players are happy about where we are now.
“It is a stepping stone for us now especially as a country that were bottom of the ranking. So I am proud of the result but not happy with it.”
Fiji 3 (Cema NASAU 15’, 28’, Luisa TAMANITOAKULA 83’)
Solomon Islands 1 (Ileen PEGI 10’ pen)
Half-time: 2-1
Photo: Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
