Pacific

Power cut can't stop young Cook Islands footballers' progress

08:58 am on 29 June 2023

Photo: OFC Media via Phototek

The Cook Islands have beaten Solomon Islands 1-0 in their final pool match at the Oceania U-19 Women's Championship in Fiji to set up a quarter-final tie against Vanuatu.

The match spanned more than 120 minutes due to a first-half power cut at the HFC Bank Stadium, which halted play for half an hour.

Te Upoko Tuariki scored the only goal and Cooks' winner on 49 minutes.

The team has not conceded a goal after drawing 0-0 with Tahiti in thier opening match.

In Wednesday's other match, 16-year-old Kasanita Tabua scored first for Fiji in their 2-0 win over Papua New Guinea.

Evivi Buka gained a second for Fiji with four minutes of injury time played.

In the quarter-finals the Cook Islands play Vanuatu, while Fiji face off against New Caledonia.

In the other matches, favourites and multi-times winners New Zealand are up against Solomon Islands while Samoa play Tahiti.

All games take place this weekend with the semi-finals being held in midweek.