In an intense match held today at Church Hill Park in Lautoka for the U-19 Championship in Fiji, the Vanuatu girls’ team fought valiantly against a formidable New Caledonia side. New Caledonia, known as the runners-up in the 2021 U-19 championship, showcased their strength throughout the game.
Due to the tournament’s cancellation in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s championship is being hosted in Fiji. Vanuatu had a promising start to their campaign, securing a resounding victory in their opening match against Tonga with a 5-0 scoreline. Elina Aruvuhu contributed two goals, while Angelina Poida, Rebina Woka, and Onica Kaltack each scored one goal, leading Vanuatu to a dominant win.
TEAM NEWS | The line-ups are confirmed for our opening match of the day at OFC U-19 Women's Championship 2023!
📺 Watch New Caledonia 🇫🇷🇳🇨 take on Vanuatu 🇻🇺 LIVE on OFC TV at the OFC websitehttps://t.co/XfznHE55OE#OW192023 pic.twitter.com/ucV3bfu8jE
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HALF-TIME | Three goals in 12 minutes has given New Caledonia a comfortable lead at half-time in their second Group A match
Watch the second-half LIVE on OFC TV at the OFC websitehttps://t.co/XfznHE55OE#OW192023 pic.twitter.com/bGmREzOLoZ
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However, today’s encounter against New Caledonia presented a tougher challenge for the Vanuatu team. In the first half, New Caledonia’s relentless pressure exposed defensive vulnerabilities in the Vanuatu squad, leading to several mistakes. Consequently, Vanuatu found themselves trailing by three goals as the first half concluded, with the scoreboard displaying 3-0 in favor of New Caledonia.
FULL-TIME | New Caledonia make it back-to-back wins at OFC U-19 Women's Championship 2023 with victory over Vanuatu#OW192023 pic.twitter.com/gYydKnQcmO
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Undeterred by the deficit, Vanuatu mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Their relentless pressure and domination eventually paid off when Rebina Woka fired a powerful shot past the New Caledonia goalkeeper, reducing the deficit to 3-1. Despite Vanuatu’s goal, New Caledonia managed to find the back of the net once again before the final whistle, securing a 4-1 victory.
📸 PHOTOS | A cracking start to the day's action at OFC U-19 Women's Championship as New Caledonia 🇫🇷🇳🇨 met Vanuatu 🇻🇺 in Lautoka 🇫🇯#OW192023 pic.twitter.com/ntVlaAvVbu
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The Vanuatu girls displayed immense determination and resilience throughout the match, despite the unfavorable outcome. As the tournament progresses, Vanuatu will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures and continue their pursuit of success in the U-19 Championship.
