The first round of group games at the 2018 Oceania Women’s Nations Cup in New Caledonia have been completed, with firm favourites New Zealand kicking off with an 11-0 thrashing of Tonga.
The Group A tie between Samoa and Papua New Guinea got the finals underway on Sunday, Meagan Gunemba hitting a hat-trick in a 5-0 win for PNG.
A Jackie Pahoa brace helped New Caledonia into a 3-0 lead and although Tahiti hit back twice before the break, Aurelie Lalie’s 81st-minute effort secured a 4-2 victory.
Scoring in New Zealand’s double-figure Group B win over Tonga on Monday was led by a Sarah Gregorious treble, while Rosie White, Annalie Longo and Betsy Hassett weighed in with two each, Ria Percival of West Ham and Grace Jale adding singles.
Wednesday brings the start of the second round of group games, with the eventual tournament winners qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
