Fiji delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat Tonga 2-1 and secure top spot in Group A at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025 in Tahiti.
The victory seals Fiji’s place in the semi-finals and confirms the Cook Islands as group runners-up, while Tonga must now settle for the 5th place play-off.
Tonga entered the match needing a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive and started strongly, pressing Fiji’s defence in the opening minutes.
However, Fiji absorbed the early pressure and struck twice in quick succession to seize control.
Elesi Tabunase opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a diving header that beat Tongan goalkeeper Keira Wolfgramm, before captain Sereana Naweni doubled the lead three minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Wolfgramm kept Tonga in the contest with several superb saves, denying Tabunase and Emele Vunivalu to ensure her side trailed by only two goals at halftime.
The second half saw Tonga tighten defensively and slowly grow into the game.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 68th minute when Anela Makaafi blasted home a thunderous strike from outside the area to halve the deficit.
Despite Tonga’s late surge and several nervous moments for Fiji, the Pacific Islanders held on for a deserved win.
Fiji now look set for a semi-final clash against either Tahiti or New Caledonia, while the Cook Islands will likely face defending champions New Zealand for a place in the final.
