Pacific

Sport: Semi finalists found at U17 Women's Football Champs

13:28 pm on 20 January 2016

The semi finalists have been found at the Oceania Under 17 Women's Football Championship in Rarotonga.

Going into the final round of pool matches, every team had a mathematical chance of reaching the final four.

Defending champions New Zealand thrashed Tonga 13-0 to finish top of Group A, while New Caledonia also advanced with a comfortable 5-0 victory against Samoa.

Papua New Guinea finished top of Group B, despite being held to a 2-2 draw against Fiji.

The PNG women's under 17 team, 2016. Photo: Oceania Football

Coach Margaret Aka was disappointed with her side's performance.

"It was a frustrating game in many ways for us. We didn't defend as well as we could have and our attack was a little bit off. We had a plan and we didn't stick to it, but I think some of that was down to the weather."

Meanwhile Cook Islands finished on a winning note, with the hosts thumping Vanuatu 5-1 to end their opponents hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

Midfielder Moeroa Harmon scored a hat-trick inside 36 minutes, followed by goals to Nicola Marurai and Daimzel Rongokea seven minutes each side of half time.

Cook Islands players celebrate Moeroa Harmon's opening goal. Photo: Oceania Football

Coach Tuka Tisam admits even he was surprised by the scoreline and believes the future is bright.

"Every game we're getting better and better. I mean we ended on a victory but we just came up to short, but I'm very proud of the girls. They're a very young team so we've got about seven girls [that will still be eligible] for the next [Oceania Under] 17s [in two years time]".

The semi finals are on Thursday local time with New Zealand taking on Fiji and PNG up against New Caledonia.