Fiji senior women’s football team, the Fiji Kulas hopes of winning their first OFC Women’s Nations Cup ended with a 1-2 semi-final loss to Papua New Guinea at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.
PNG took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Keren Kalapai in the 25th minute and Ramona Padio in the 33rd minute.
Both goals came off the Fijians’ own defensive blunders.
Fiji responded with a goal from Narieta Leba in the 34th minute, but despite strong second-half efforts, they couldn’t find the equaliser.
Head coach Angeline Chua said it was a tough loss but praised her team’s effort and unity.
“We prepared and played our best. Football is a game of mistakes, and we made a couple that cost us,” she said.
Chua added that the team would regroup and focus on the third-place play-offs and finishing the tournament on a high note.
She also highlighted the valuable experience gained by the young squad, saying it would help their development in future competitions.
