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2025 OFC U-19 Women's Championship

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 organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) for the women's under-19/under-20 national teams of Oceania. The tournament is being 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

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 Islands 5th Runners-up (2010) Young Cooks
 Fiji 6th Runners-up (2017, 2023) Young Kulas
 New Caledonia 7th Runners-up (2019) Cagou Girls
 New Zealand 10th Champions (2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023) Junior Football Ferns
 Tahiti (hosts) 3nd Third place (2019) Hine Taure’a
 Tonga 9th Runners-up (2006) Junior Mataliki
 Vanuatu 6th Third place (2015)

Venues

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

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

Group stage

The top two of each group advance to the semifinals.

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

Group A

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 stunning free kick from 25 metres to give her side hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tonga[8]

Cook Islands 1–0 Tonga
  • Arere 19'
 Report
Stade de Punaruu, Papeete
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
  • Reva 4'
  • Finau 55'
 Report
  • Mose 25'
Stade de Punaruu, Papeete
Attendance: 200
Referee: Beth Rattray (New Zealand)

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
  • Makaafi 71'
 Report
  • Tabunase 8'
  • Naweni 11'
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 80
Referee: Kyllian Lelarge (New Caledonia)

Group B

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 has given New Caledonia a crucial 1–0 win over Vanuatu.The talismanic striker hit a curling right-footed effort past a despairing 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 in style, cruising to a 7–0 victory over hosts Tahiti.[11]

New Caledonia 1–0 Vanuatu
  • Honakoko 84'
 Report
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 50
Referee: Torika Delai (Fiji)
New Zealand 7–0 Tahiti
  • L. Brazendale 12', 49'
  • Mortlock 14'
  • Lyon 37'
  • Benson 44'
  • Brown 64'
  • De Wit 89'
 Report
Stade Paea, Papeete
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
  • L. Brazendale 16'
  • De Wit 70'
  • Benson 86' (pen.), 90+3'
 Report
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 100
Referee: Shu Ting Yang (China)
Vanuatu 0–2 Tahiti
Report
  • Le Gayic 11', 25'
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 200
Referee: Yantana Atoa (Tonga)

Vanuatu ended their campaign on a sour note with a crushing 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 coolly 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
  • De Wit 13'
  • O'Brien 18'
  • Brill 23'
  • Lyon 31', 41', 67', 68', 78'
  • Benson 57'
  • Brown 60'
  • L. Brazendale 88'
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 80
Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)
Tahiti 1–1 New Caledonia
  • Honakoko 55'
 Report
  • Le Gayic 89' (pen.)
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 400
Referee: Jovita Ambrose (Solomon Islands)

Knockout stage

Bracket

 
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

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
  • Gondou 59'
  • Naaoutchoue 71'
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 100
New Zealand 8–0 Cook Islands
  • Benson 33'
  • Lyon 36', 41', 55'
  • Cleall-Harding 67'
  • L. Brazendale 76', 89'
  • O'Brien 86'
 Report
Stade Paea, Papeete
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

Tonga 2–1 Tahiti
  • Faletau 25', 37'
 Report
  • Teikihaa 73'
Stade de Punaruu, Papeete
Attendance: 75
Referee: Shu Ting Yang (China)

Third place match

Fiji 0–0 Cook Islands
Report
Penalties
  • Vunivalu soccer ball with red X
  • Tabunase soccer ball with check mark
  • Dama soccer ball with red X
  • Mereia soccer ball with check mark
  • Matawaqa soccer ball with check mark
 3–2
  • Casey Poila soccer ball with red X
  • Uini soccer ball with red X
  • Tuariki soccer ball with red X
  • Taia soccer ball with check mark
  • Arere soccer ball with check mark
Stade Paea, Papeete
Attendance: 200
Referee: Jovita Ambrose (Solomon Islands)

Final

New Caledonia 0–3 New Zealand
Report
  • Benson 17'
  • Lyon 36', 45'
Stade Paea, Papeete
Referee: Torika Delai (Fiji)


New Caledonia
New Zealand
GK 16 Muneiko Aline Waheo
LB 2 Louane Pocoue-Kasouemi downward-facing red arrow 34'
CB 5 Kenza Kenon (c)
CB 21 Ashley Geihaze downward-facing red arrow 45'
CB 6 Shirley Wenessia
RB 17 Alesie Adjou downward-facing red arrow 45'
LM 11 Caénah Bati Yellow card 51' downward-facing red arrow 52'
CM 19' Cécilia Waheo
CM 8 Kheiméra Gondou
RM 18 Valerie Ngazo
CF 13 Joyce Angexetine downward-facing red arrow 34'
Substitutions:
GK 1 Elizabeth Aben
FW 3' Deyanera Michel
DF 4' Lleana Hmae upward-facing green arrow 45'
DF 7 Aziliz Naaoutchoue
FW 9 Julia Honakoko upward-facing green arrow 34'
FW 10 Cina Kourevi upward-facing green arrow 34'
FW 14 Ajassië Taine upward-facing green arrow 52'
DF 15 Dahlia Houmbouy
DF 20 Kelia Golitin upward-facing green arrow 45'
Manager:
Léon Waitronyie
GK 1 Brooke Neary
CB 2 Charli Dunn Yellow card 90'
CB 5 Alyssha Eglinton
CB 3 Mackenzie Greene
LM 4 Penny Brill
CM 6 Daisy Brazendale (c) Yellow card 43' downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 10 Zoe Benson downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 8 Lottie Mortlock downward-facing red arrow 61'
RM 7 Grace Bartlett downward-facing red arrow 61'
CF 11 Emily Lyon
CF 16 Daisy Brazendale downward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Isla Cleall-Harding upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 12 Amber De Wit upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 13 Mary Brown upward-facing green arrow 61'
DF 14 Kenzie Longmuir upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 15 Ela Jerez
DF 17 Poppy O'Brien upward-facing green arrow 61'
GK 18 Sophie Campbell
Manager:
Callum Holmes

Player of the Match:
Mackenzie Greene (New Zealand)

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

Awards

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

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

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

11 goals

  • New Zealand Emily Lyon

6 goals

  • New Zealand Lily Brazendale
  • New Zealand Zoe Benson

3 goals

  • New Zealand Amber De Wit
  • French Polynesia Haranui Le Gayic

2 goals

  • New Zealand Mary Brown
  • New Caledonia Julia Honakoko
  • New Zealand Poppy O'Brien
  • Tonga Tama’a Faletau

1 goal

  • Cook Islands Metuamaru Arere
  • Cook Islands Aikitu Mose
  • Fiji Adi Reva
  • Fiji Annie Finau
  • Fiji Elesi Tabunase
  • Fiji Sereana Naweni
  • New Caledonia Kheiméra Gondou
  • New Caledonia Aziliz Naaoutchoue
  • New Zealand Lottie Mortlock
  • New Zealand Penny Brill
  • New Zealand Isla Cleall-Harding
  • French Polynesia Catherine Teikihaa
  • Tonga Anela Makaafi

Media All Stars (by Wikipedia)

Media accredited at the tournament did not organize all star team voting. In the spirit of best tradition of journalism, Wiki has named All Star Team. Taking into account a different quality of participating teams we have decided to name All Star Team A and B. The formation 4-3-3 was chosen to support offensive players.


Position All Star A Position All Star B
GK New Zealand Brooke Neary GK Tonga Keira Wolfgramm
LB New Zealand Poppy O'Brien LB Fiji Rachel Matawaqa
CB New Zealand Alyssha Eglinton CB New Zealand Elina Aruvuha
CB New Zealand Mackenzie Greene CB Fiji Caroline Qalivere
RB New Zealand Lottie Mortlock RB Fiji Sereana Naweni
CM New Zealand Lily Brazendale LM New Caledonia Cina Kourevi
CM New Zealand Zoe Benson CM New Caledonia Julia Honakoko
CM New Zealand Amber De Wit RM French Polynesia Haranui Le Gayic
LF New Zealand Isla Cleall-Harding LF Tonga Tama’a Faletau
CF New Zealand Emily Lyon CF Cook Islands Metuamaru Arere
RF New Zealand Lily Brazendale RF Fiji Elesi Tabunase

Match officials

Main referees

  • Taiwan Shu ting Yang
  • Fiji Torika Delai
  • Japan Azusa Sugino
  • New Caledonia Kyllian Lelarge
  • New Zealand Anna-Marie Keighley
  • New Zealand Beth Rattray
  • Solomon Islands Jovita Ambrose
  • Solomon Islands Shama Maemae
  • Tonga Yantama Atoa

Assistants

  • New Caledonia Louis Hnangan
  • New Zealand Allys Clipsham
  • New Zealand Heloise Simmons
  • Fiji Saleyah Tasmiyah
  • Papua New Guinea Stephanie Minan
  • Samoa Maria Salamasina
  • Tonga Alisson Elone
  • Tonga Feliuaki Kolotau
  • Vanuatu Madlen Ruben

References

  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. ^ a b "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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