THE Fiji Junior Kulas women’s under-19 football side won 2-1 over the Cook Islands to start their OFC U-19 Women’s Championship campaign in Tahiti yesterday.
The match took place at the Stade de Punaruu in Puna’auia.
Fiji made an early dash for the goalmouth with a goal from Adi Reva in the fourth minute of the Kulas opening encounter.
Reva had made her attempt near the goalposts following a connection of passes by her teammates.
The Cooks responded with a goal from Aikitu Mose in the 25th minute, more than halfway into the first spell.
Fiji would have had another goal from Sereana Naweni’s catch of Kasanita Tabua’s pass however Cooks goalkeeper Kimberley Uini caught the attempt before it went further for the goal.
Scores stood at one-all when the match went into half-time.
The contest became heated after the breather, however Fiji remained firm in their lead as Annie Finau shot another goal through to aid in their continued dominance.
Finau’s goal was made possible with Fiji moving in to capitalise on the advantage and Finau picked up possession when she headed the ball from a corner.
Uini could not seize the ball in time as it sailed past her to earn Fiji’s second point in the match.
Following the match, Fiji now leads Group A with three points while their pool contenders the Cooks’ hopes will depend on the result of the Junior Kula’s next clash against Tonga.
If Tonga does not win, both Fiji and the Cooks are through to the semi-finals.
Fiji plays Tonga at 3pm on Sunday at Stade Paea.
