New Zealand are likely to face Tonga in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship if their final group fixtures go to form.
New Zealand play winless Vanuatu at 2pm (NZT) on Thursday and a draw or better will see them top the group, regardless of the outcome of the match between Fiji and Cook Islands at 5pm (NZT).
The winner of the tournament in Tahiti will qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Tonga have finished second in the completed Group A after letting hosts Tahiti come from behind for a 2-1 win which leaves them atop the group.
Fiji and Cook Islands play to decide which will face Tahiti in Sunday’s semi-finals.
Main photo: The New Zealand U-16 women’s squad. Photo credit: NZ Football.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Thursday September 21, 2023 (NZT)
Group B
Vanuatu v New Zealand
Stade Pater, Papeete, 2pm (NZT)
Cook Islands v Fiji
Stade Pater, Papeete, 5pm (NZT)
Results
Games played on Wednesday September 20, 2023 (NZT)
Group A
Tahiti 2 (Turere Tupahururu 63′, Willany Kautai 76′)
Tonga 1 (Tema Tonga 43′)
Solomon Islands 1 (Gracester Kini 72′)
New Caledonia 1 (Henako Wahnawe 89′)
New Zealand squad
Putri Ardana (Auckland United)
Laura Bennett (Melville United)
Mackenzie Bryant (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Sophie Campbell (Palmerston North Marist)
Isla Cleall-Harding (Taradale AFC)
Amber De Wit (Nomads United)
Charli Dunn (Western Springs)
Alyssha Eglinton (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Emily Humphrey (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Ela Jerez (Western Springs_
Kara McGillivray (Auckland United)
Kyra Morgan (Western Suburbs)
Brooke Neary (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Angela Pivac (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Katie Pugh (Nelson Suburbs)
Holly Robins (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Hannah Saxon (Eastern Suburbs)
Pia Vlok (Auckland United)
Natalie Young (Hamilton Wanderers)
Tournament schedule
Games to be played on Sunday September 24, 2023
Semi-Final 1 (2pm)
Tahiti v Group B runners-up
Semi-Final 2 (5pm)
Group B winner v Tonga
Games to be played on Monday September 25, 2023
Play-off for 7th place (2pm)
Solomon Islands v Group B 4th place
Play-off for 5th place (5pm)
New Caledonia v Group B 3rd place
Games to be played on Wednesday September 27, 2023
Play-off for 3rd place (2pm)
Final (5pm)
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