New Caledonia have confirmed their place in the Quarter-Finals of OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023 following victory over Tonga in their final Group A match in Lautoka.
Defeat for Tonga means that their journey comes to an end, despite another spirited display and an excellent performance from goalkeeper Madison Tenifa.
Just 6 minutes were on the clock when New Caledonia took the lead when Alofa Hmaen was played through on the right-hand side of the box via an excellent pass from Maria Binet, drawing goalkeeper Madison Tenifa before calmly rolling the ball into the far corner.
The second New Caledonia goal with just ten minutes of the half-left. Caroline Naaoutchoue – one of the stand-out players for her team in the tournament thus far – broke down the left-flank, beating three Tongan defenders with a wonderful run before cutting back to Sarah Boarat, who duly converted from six yards out.
Binet herself got on the scoresheet early in the second-half, converting from the penalty spot after Hmaen was fouled in the act of crossing just inside the box on the right-hand side.
A fourth and a fifth New Caledonian goal came in short order, first when Caroline Naaoutcheoue showed excellent composure to lift the ball into an unguarded net after ‘keeper Tefina has scrambled to try and claim a cross before Louane Pocoue-Kasouemi broke down the right, cut in from the byline and squeezed her shot on at the near post.
Substitute Julia Honakoko added a sixth deep into stoppage-time, firing first-time past fellow substitute Manukailopa Mailangi in the Tonga goal.
New Caledonia now advance to a Quarter-Final in Suva whilst Tonga bow out from Group A.
SOURCE: OFC/PACNEWS
