Fiji beat Solomon Islands 4-3 in Honiara to reach the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026 semi-finals.
A crunch clash on the final matchday in the group, Fiji always held the upper hand on the scoreboard but were kept on their toes by the tournament hosts in a seven-goal thriller at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Two goals in eleven first half minutes from Varanisese Naiqarau set the young Kulas on their way. Naiqarau opened the scoring in the 11th minute, breaking in-behind and scoring with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The Solomon Islands knew only a win would send them through to the knockout stages and keep their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying dreams alive, but they left themselves too open defensively when Naiqarau caught them on the counter for her and Fiji’s second goal in the 21st minute.
Claudisha Waokea gave the hosts a lifeline in the 34th minute when she tapped into an empty net from a pinpoint delivery across the face of goal, but an own goal from Safiya Bako shortly after, restored Fiji’s two-goal advantage at the break.
Three goals in four minutes characterised a frenetic period in the second half. Waokea scored her second in the 61st minute to keep the Solomon Islands hanging on, but Temalesi Masa responded with Fiji’s fourth less than 60 seconds later, ultimately proving decisive.
Freda Toro Mau scored the Solomon Islands third in the 64th minute, but they couldn’t find another to level the match, despite striking the crossbar from a direct free kick – not enough to get through.
Instead, the final whistle brought jubilation for Fiji, who are back in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship for the first time since 2023, and are just one win away from qualifying for a first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Solomon Islands: 3 (Claudisha WAOKEA 34’, 61’, Freda TORO MAU 64’)
Fiji: 4 (Varanisese NAIQARAU 10’, 21’, Own Goal 42’, Temalesi MASI 62’)
SOURCE// OFC PRESS RELEASE
