SOLOMON Islands will take on PNG in the final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Suva.
Papua New Guinea was clinical in its victory over the host nation, win over Fiji in the semifinal with captain Ramona Padio dictating the game from the start.
She was strong in defense and assertive in attack, crossing to Keren Kalapai for a spectacular header to put PNG ahead in the 24th minute.
PNG went into the semis as top of their pool and played a strategic match of one touch football. In the 33rd minute Padio struck from outside the box with a rocket for which
Fiji’s goalkeeper, Emily Esposito, had no answer.
Padio was later named Player of the Match and will be the one to watch for PNG in the final.
Fiji took one back in the 35th minute with a goal to Narieta Leba. Despite a strong second half, Fiji could not break the PNG defence and the match ended 2-1.
PNG’s Olivia Upaupa said the side worked hard for the win.
PNG will meet Solomon Islands who came from behind to beat Samoa in a rainy encounter.
Good keeping by Samoa’s Xeyana Salanoa kept the Solomons from scoring, despite several early attempts.
Samoa stung the Solomons when Lilly Dowsing crossed from the left corner into the box to connect with Oteta Kitiona who slammed the ball low and hard past Zainab Donga in the 13th minute.
Solomon Islands struck back in the 21st minute when captain Ileen Pegi latched onto a long ball, turned the last defender inside-out before beating Salanoa.
Before the end of the first half, Salanoa held off a spirited attack by the Solomons strike force but Lorina Solosaia pounced on a deflection to tap in the winner.
Both teams missed opportunities throughout the rest of the match but at the final whistle the Solomons girls had done enough to make the final.
Captain Ileen Pegi shared her thoughts after the game: “The team’s chemistry was good. I’m happy and really proud of how our team played tonight. We have to do our recovery now and prepare well for the final.”
This is the first time Solomon Islands have reached the grand final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup.