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2025 OFC U-19 Women's Championship

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2025 OFC U-19 Women's Championship
Tournament details
Host countryFrench Polynesia Tahiti
CityPapeete
Dates21 September – 4 October 2025
Teams7 (from 1 confederation)
Venue1 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions New Zealand (9th title)
Runners-up New Caledonia
Third place Fiji
Fourth place Cook Islands
Tournament statistics
Matches played14
Goals scored50 (3.57 per match)
Top scorer(s)New Zealand Emily Lyon
(11 goals)
Best playerNew Zealand Zoe Benson
Best goalkeeperNew Caledonia Elizabeth Aben
← 2023
2027 →

The 2025 OFC U-19 Women's Championship was the 11th edition of the OFC U-19/U-20 Women's Championship, the biennial international youth football championship organized by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) for the women's under-19/under-20 national teams of Oceania. The tournament was held in Tahiti from 21 September to 4 October 2025.[1]

The two finalists qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland as the OFC representatives.

New Zealand were the defending champions from 2023,[2] and retained their title.[3]

Teams

[edit]

Tonga won the qualifying tournament on home soil in March, beating American Samoa and Solomon Islands, to qualify for the finals tournament. All but one of the other 8 FIFA-affiliated national teams from OFC entered the tournament (Papua New Guinea choosing not to enter).[4]

Samoa pulled out of the tournament due to the financial reasons announcing their decision on 11 September 2025.[5]

Team Appearance Previous best performance Nickname
 Cook Islands5thRunners-up (2010) Young Cooks
 Fiji6thRunners-up (2017, 2023) Young Kulas
 New Caledonia7thRunners-up (2019) Cagou Girls
 New Zealand10thChampions (2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023) Junior Football Ferns
 Tahiti (hosts)3ndThird place (2019) Hine Taure’a
 Tonga9thRunners-up (2006) Junior Mataliki
 Vanuatu6thThird place (2015)

Venues

[edit]

The main stadium at Tahiti – Stade Pater – is preparing for the 2027 Pacific Games. The first stadiums for the tournament is Stade de Punaruu. There was a controversy in 2016, when the stadium was renovated for 76 millions cfp, but the athletics track did not meet IAAF criteria.[6] The second stadium is Stade Paea (also called Stade Manu Ura). It has a capacity of about 2,500 spectators, with a natural grass surface. Its main tenant is AS Manu Ura.

Media coverage

[edit]

All games were streamed via FIFA+ platform as Fifa+ holds rights for all OFC competitions in the period 2024–2025. [7] The commentary was provided from Asinate Wainiqolo. They taught the audience pronunciation of native players names.

Group stage

[edit]

The top two of each group advance to the semifinals.

All times are local, TAHT (GMT+12).

Group A

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Fiji 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6 Knockout stage
2  Cook Islands 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3  Tonga 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0 Fifth place match
4  Samoa (W) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew
Source: OFC
(W) Withdrew

Metuamaru Arere curled home a free kick from 25 metres to give her side hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tonga[8]

Cook Islands 1–0 Tonga
 Report
Attendance: 100

Goalkeeping error, ultimately sealed the points for Fiji in the game against Cook Islands and moved Young Kulas closer to semis.[9]

Fiji 2–1 Cook Islands
 Report
Attendance: 200

Fiji booked their spot in the semi-finals, but their performance also justifies their aim to book U-20 World Cup spot. Despite Tonga's relentless pressure in the final stages, the Young Kulas held firm[10]

Tonga 1–2 Fiji
 Report
Attendance: 80

Group B

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  New Zealand 3 3 0 0 22 0 +22 9 Knockout stage
2  New Caledonia 3 1 1 1 2 5 −3 4
3  Tahiti (H) 3 1 1 1 3 8 −5 4 Fifth place match
4  Vanuatu 3 0 0 3 0 14 −14 0
Source: OFC
(H) Hosts

A brilliant individual effort from captain Julia Honakoko six minutes from full-time gave New Caledonia a crucial 1–0 win over Vanuatu.The talismanic striker hit a curling right-footed effort past Jineth Vanva in the Vanuatu goal when the match had seemed destined to end in a stalemate.[11] Defending champions New Zealand have started their campaign with a 7–0 victory over hosts Tahiti.[11]

New Caledonia 1–0 Vanuatu
 Report
Attendance: 50
Referee: Torika Delai (Fiji)
New Zealand 7–0 Tahiti
 Report
Attendance: 100
Referee: Azusa Sugino (Japan)

The host Tahiti beat Vanautu 2–0. Vanuatu coach Ranua saw improvement in other areas than converting changes.[12] New Zealand then reached last four beating New Caledonia 4–0.[13] Tuvalu at September 2025 futsal nations cup lost all games, but their game was skilled and promising, Vanuatu young women team sometimes lacks totally basic skills like a shot. IIHF Women's World Championship in ice-hockey has tournament model suitable for Oceania. 5 top quality teams play upper round-robin group. 5 middle quality teams play lower group. 8 teams then compete in play-off, so teams from lower group can win tournament, but that never happened due to different quality of teams.

New Zealand 4–0 New Caledonia
 Report
Attendance: 100
Referee: Shu Ting Yang (China)
Vanuatu 0–2 Tahiti
Report
Attendance: 200
Referee: Yantana Atoa (Tonga)

Vanuatu ended their campaign with a 11–0 defeat at the hands of regional giants New Zealand.[14] Relief came for host Tahiti in the 88th minute: Haranui Le Gayic won a penalty and converted it, but the semi-final hopes of the entire stadium were not fulfilled in a thrilling end [15]

Vanuatu 0–11 New Zealand
Report
Attendance: 80
Tahiti 1–1 New Caledonia
 Report
Attendance: 400

Knockout stage

[edit]

Bracket

[edit]
 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
1 October – Papeete (Paea)
 
 
  Fiji0
 
4 October – Papeete (Paea)
 
 New Caledonia2
 
 New Caledonia0
 
1 October – Papeete (Paea)
 
 New Zealand3
 
  New Zealand8
 
 
 Cook Islands0
 
Third place match
 
 
4 October – Papeete (Paea)
 
 
 Fiji (p)0 (3)
 
 
 Cook Islands0 (2)

Semi-finals

[edit]

Winners qualify for 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

New Zealand has impressive route throughout the tournament, but media are silent except of official OFC channels. [16] Fiji defeat to New Caledonia was found surprising and against the run of play as Fiji dominated most of the time. [17]

Fiji 0–2 New Caledonia
NaweniYellow card 42' Yellow-red card 90' Report
Attendance: 100
New Zealand 8–0 Cook Islands
 Report
Attendance: 150
Referee: Azusa Sugino (Japan)

New Zealand tournament victory was labelled as logical in French speaking media [18] Holding their nerve was crucial for Fiji's youngsters to clinch the victory and confirm their podium finish according to Fiji voices [19]

Fifth place match

[edit]
Tonga 2–1 Tahiti
 Report
Attendance: 75
Referee: Shu Ting Yang (China)

Third place match

[edit]

Final

[edit]
New Caledonia 0–3 New Zealand
Report
Referee: Torika Delai (Fiji)

New Caledonia
New Zealand
GK16Muneiko Aline Waheo
LB2Louane Pocoue-Kasouemidownward-facing red arrow 34'
CB5Kenza Kenon (c)
CB21Ashley Geihazedownward-facing red arrow 45'
CB6Shirley Wenessia
RB17Alesie Adjoudownward-facing red arrow 45'
LM11Caénah BatiYellow card 51'downward-facing red arrow 52'
CM19Cécilia Waheo
CM8Kheiméra Gondou
RM18Valerie Ngazo
CF13Joyce Angexetinedownward-facing red arrow 34'
Substitutions:
GK1Elizabeth Aben
FW3Deyanera Michel
DF4Lleana Hmaeupward-facing green arrow 45'
DF7Aziliz Naaoutchoue
FW9Julia Honakokoupward-facing green arrow 34'
FW10Cina Koureviupward-facing green arrow 34'
FW14Ajassië Taineupward-facing green arrow 52'
DF15Dahlia Houmbouy
DF20Kelia Golitinupward-facing green arrow 45'
Manager:
Léon Waitronyie
GK1Brooke Neary
CB2Charli DunnYellow card 90'
CB5Alyssha Eglinton
CB3Mackenzie Greene
LM4Penny Brill
CM6Daisy Brazendale (c)Yellow card 43'downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM10Zoe Bensondownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM8Lottie Mortlockdownward-facing red arrow 61'
RM7Grace Bartlettdownward-facing red arrow 61'
CF11Emily Lyon
CF16Lily Brazendaledownward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
FW9Isla Cleall-Hardingupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW12Amber De Witupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF13Mary Brownupward-facing green arrow 61'
DF14Kenzie Longmuirupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF15Ela Jerez
DF17Poppy O'Brienupward-facing green arrow 61'
GK18Sophie Campbell
Manager:
Callum Holmes

Player of the Match:
Mackenzie Greene (New Zealand)

Assistant referees:
Maria Salamasina (Samoa)
Stephanie Minan (Papua New Guinea)
Fourth official:
Azusa Sugino (Japan)
Fiftth official:
Feliuaki Kolotau (Tonga)

Awards

[edit]

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.

Award Player
Golden Ball New Zealand Zoe Benson
Golden Boot New Zealand Emily Lyon
Golden Gloves New Caledonia Elizabeth Aben
Fair Play Award  Cook Islands

Qualified teams for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2026

[edit]

The following teams from OFC qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland.

Teams Qualified on Previous appearances in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
 New Caledonia 1 October 2025 0 (debut)
 New Zealand 1 October 2025 9 (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024)

Goalscorers

[edit]

There were 50 goals scored in 14 matches, for an average of 3.57 goals per match.

11 goals

6 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

Match officials

[edit]

Main referees

Assistants

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "U-19 Women's Championship". Oceania Football. 13 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "New Zealand off to a flying start at OFC U-19 Women's Championship 2025". OFC. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "First half goals seal OFC U-19 Women's Championship 2025 title for New Zealand". OFC. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Official Draw | OFC U-19 Women's Championship 2025". OFC You Tube. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Samoa pull out of OFC U-19 Women's Championship, citing financial issues". Friends of Football NZ. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Marquand, Christophe (2016-08-28). "Nouveau revêtement pour la piste d'athlétisme de la Punaruu". France Info (in French). Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  7. ↑ "FIFA+ becomes the official global home of OFC competitions". 28 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Cook Islands get away to winning start at OFC U-19 Women's Championship". Friends of Football NZ. 22 September 2025.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Rashika (2025-09-25). "Young Kulas edge Cook Islands 2-1 in OFC U-19 opener, move closer to semis". Fiji Village. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  10. ↑ Nand, Priya (2025-09-28). "Fiji edge Tonga 2-1 to reach OFC U-19 Women's Championship semi-finals". Fji Village. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  11. 1 2 "New Caledonia stun Vanuatu with late strike". Friends of Football NL. 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  12. ↑ Molivakoro, Vourie (2025-09-26). "Vanuatu U19 girls suffer second loss at OFC championship". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  13. ↑ "New Zealand reach last four at OFC U-19 Women's Championship in Tahiti". Friends of Football NL. 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  14. ↑ Molivakoro, Vourie (2025-09-29). "Vanuatu U19s end OFC campaign with heavy defeat". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  15. ↑ "Le Gayic arrache l'égalisation mais Tahiti s'arrête aux portes des demi-finales". Fédération Tahitienne de Football (in French). 2025-09-28. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  16. ↑ "They're through! New Zealand qualify for 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup". Friends of Football NL. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  17. ↑ Basiyalo, Taina (2025-10-02). "New Caledonia defeat Fiji and make history". FBC News Fiji. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  18. ↑ "Les Football Ferns U19 s'imposent en finale". Tahiti Infos (in French). 2025-10-05. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  19. ↑ Stark, Mataiasi (2025-10-05). "Young Kulas win bronze". FBC News Fiji. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
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