THE Solomon Islands national women’s team defeated a much-fancied Papua New Guinea(PNG), 3 – 2, in Suva to win their first OFC Women’s Nations Cup on Saturday.
PNG went into the final undefeated. The Solomons made their first grand final appearance on the back of a 0 – 1 defeat to hosts, Fiji, in the pool stage.
From the first whistle, the match seesawed from end to end as the teams sized each other up.
PNG captain Ramona Padio and Keren Kalapai led the attack for PNG while Lorina Solosaia, Madeline Arukau, and Ileen Pegi combined for the Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands drew first blood when a good push up the middle saw Lorina Solosaia break free of the defence to drive hard and low past PNG keeper, Lavinia Hola, to score.
PNG replied in the 42nd minute when Solomon Islands goalkeeper Zainab Donga fumbled in the box, allowing Padio to pounce and tap in an easy goal.
During added time in the first half, PNG’s Merolyne Sali was shown a red card after a late tackle on Madeline Arukau on the edge of the box. Arukau took the free kick and shot straight for goal.
It was a beautiful strike and Hola had no time to react.
Solomon Islands led 2 – 1 at halftime and in the second half, both sides hunted for goals.
Despite being a player down, PNG applied pressure and was rewarded in the 64th minute with a long-range free kick from Padio, which found the back of the net.
The score remained level at full time, and four minutes into extra time, Jemina David was set up by Ileen Pegi for the winning goal.
In the third place play-off, Samoa defeated Fiji 2 – 0.