IFFHS DAILY REPORT WOMEN'S WORLD FESTIVAL 2022 - JULY 17
Picture : Fiji's National Team at the top
FIJI AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA WINNERS
Fiji advanced to the quarter-finals of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 following a 3-1 win over New Caledonia. Aliza Hussein’s free-kick and a brace from tournament top-scorer Sofi Diyalowai proved enough for a Fiji win despite Jackie Pahoa’s penalty in added time for New Caledonia. It took less than five minutes for Fiji to take control of the game. Hussein delivered a free-kick in the New Caledonia goal for a freak opener. Then, captain Sofi Diyalowai made the 2-0 before New Caledonia came out swinging in the second period, but Fiji punished their opponents’ lack of a clinical edge. Diyalowai, with the captain placing home her third goal of the tournament for 3-0. Fiji had plenty of chances to stretch their advantage further, Nasau, Mereoni Tora, Diyalowai and Davis all coming close. In the fight for qualification, Pahoa then scored from the penalty spot. Fiji must wait for the result of the Solomon Islands’ final group game against New Caledonia on Wednesday, July 20 to see if they win the group. Meanwhile, New Caledonia will need a positive result in that same fixture to have any chance of advancing to the final eight.
Papua New Guinea (picture) have secured top spot in Group B of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup after goals in each half earned them a 2-1 win over Tahiti in Suva, Fiji. Ramona Padio’s first-half penalty and Meagen Gunemba’s second-half breakaway finish ensured PNG advance as group winners despite Tahiti’s Tahia Tamarii converting a late penalty. The game was marred by a serious looking injury to Tahiti’s Kohai Mai and on this occasion it was Gunemba who raced clear, latching on to Yanding’s through ball before finishing clinically for 2-0.There was however late drama, Tahia Tamarii scoring from the penalty spot after Lavina Hola had fouled Malfatti in the box ,but PNG held on to win the game and the group. The final game in Group B takes place on Wednesday, July 20 when Tahiti face Vanuatu with both teams hunting for a positive result to ensure safe passage into the last eight.