Fiji’s women’s football team is one step closer to a semi-final berth at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 after a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Tonga at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Tuesday night.
While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the match was anything but straightforward, with Tonga offering stiff resistance before Fiji Kulas’ late surge sealed the three points.
Cema Nasau, one of the standout performers of the tournament, opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a powerful header from a corner.
The goal added to her growing tally at the Nations Cup, taking her total to 10 in the competition’s history.
Despite a dominant first half, Fiji were unable to convert further chances, with misses from Anisha Dwarka and Narieta Leba keeping the margin slim.
Tonga, coming off a 3-0 loss to Vanuatu, showed significant improvement from their 12-0 defeat to Fiji in 2018.
They threatened just before halftime when Gabriela Filimoetau fired narrowly over the bar, but ultimately struggled to break down the Fijian defence.
Second-half substitutions paid dividends for coach Angeline Chua, as Sereana Naweni calmly rounded the keeper to double Fiji’s lead in the 80th minute.
Ruci Tabunase added a third in stoppage time to cap off the win.
With two wins from two, Fiji now top Group B and require just a draw against Vanuatu to secure first place.
