Fiji Young Kulas Set Up Second Meeting With Defending Champions NZ, in OFC U19 Final

July 6, 2023

The Digicel Young Kulas will face reigning champs New Zealand in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship final on Saturday evening in Suva.

The Fiji U19s side overcame Samoa 3-1 in a tough contest yesterday at the HFC Bank Stadium in their semis while the Kiwis accounted for the Cook Islands 3-0 in the other.

The finale set for a 7pm kick-off Saturday in Suva will be their second encounter in the competition, with New Zealand winning the previous match, in the group stages, 3-0.

Heading into the final the national side will pick up on the work-on from last night’s encounter in which Samoa started strong to dominate possession and territory in the first half although they lacked finishing.

Two late first-half goals – from Sonia Alfred and Timaima Ana in injury time – saw Fiji take a 2-0 lead into the breather. Preeya Singh slotted in the winner in the 69th minute. Fiji came close to adding another in the 80th minute via Rebecca McGoon, but it was thwarted by Samoa keeper Viliamu. Samoa slotted a consolation goal four minutes from full-time via a penalty shot from Adrianna Skeers.

Team captain Adi Litia Bakaniceva was named player of the match.

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