Auckland United’s Pia Vlok has been named best player at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship after New Zealand’s successful defence of their title.
Vlok (16) was awarded the eight-nation tournament’s Golden Ball award after being judged to be the Most Valuable Player.
Vlok, who played her junior football for Central United and Bucklands Beach, helped New Zealand to their sixth successive OFC U-16 Women’s Championship title at the tournament in Suva, Fiji.
New Zealand picked up the Fair Play Award, which was accepted by captain Katie Pugh, who is with the Wellington Phoenix academy, and hails from Marlborough where she played her junior football with Blenheim Valley, Rangers and Nelson Suburbs.
The Golden Boot award was won by Melville United’s Laura Bennett who led the scoring at the tournament, scoring six of New Zealand’s 26 goals.
The Golden Glove award went to Samoa goalkeeper Margaret Fagasuisui Tuii after her side reached the final without conceding a goal, and keeping four clean sheets.
New Zealand beat Samoa 4-0 in the final.
By winning their semi-finals, both teams automatically qualified to represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
READ MORE: Defending champs New Zealand wrap up OFC U-16 Women’s Championship >>>>
This story was first published on September 22, 2024.
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