The News Of Oceania Football

The News Of Oceania Football Transfer News Update

Transfer Confirmed ✍️✅

Vanuatu international Azariah Soromon, goes on loan to Australia for the offseason to Western Strikers FC from Vanuatu club Vanuatu United FC.

He will be back with for the preseason ahead of the 2027 OFC Pro League to defend the colours of Vanuatu United FC.

Photo Credit & Source: Vanuatu United FC Official page

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Hekari Women FC have overcome a disciplined defensive performance, and survived a major scare, to defeat Puaikura FC 1-0 and qualify for a third consecutive OFC Women's Champions League final.

Making history as the first club from the Cook Islands to compete in the semi-finals of an OFC club competition, Puaikura held out impressively for 86 minutes, before finally being beaten by a late Nenny Elipas goal.

Runners-up in each of their three previous campaigns, Hekari were unlucky not to be ahead inside the first twenty minutes, lady luck favouring Puaikura FC instead.

Maria Veronika saw her close-range header awkwardly blocked by Puaikura goalkeeper C-J Rimamotu off the goal-line, before Adi Litia Bakaniceva had her long-range effort deflect off the underside of the crossbar and
ricochet away.

Later, Elipas also had a goal ruled out for offside in the 39th minute, whilst Rimamotu pulled off a strong save to deny Marie Kaipu at her near post.

Despite wave-after-wave of attack throughout the first half, Hekari struggled to breakdown their opponents, who were growing increasingly resilient with their defensive organisation at the back, and rode their good fortune to half-time.

Originally arriving in the Solomon Islands as Puaikura's third-choice goalkeeper, C-J Rimamotu was having the game of her life and pulled out another pair of strong saves to deny Kaipu from long-range, and then Phylis Pala from a goalmouth scramble, at the start of the second half.

As the game entered into the final ten minutes, it was beginning to look as though the side from the Cook Islands would force the semi-final to an extra thirty minutes.

Puaikura's resistance was unstainable though, particularly with only two outfield substitutes available to coach Daniel Taokia off the bench. In contrast, Ericsson Komeng still had the experience of Ramona Padio and Mavis Singara to call upon, among seven other outfield players. Eventually that difference in quality and energy showed.

Some nice combination play between substitute Singara and Nenny Elipas provided the decisive breakthrough in the 86th minute, the latter meeting a low delivery into the box and picking out the bottom-right corner with a composed first-time finish.

The goal marked the end of Puaikura FC's history-making campaign in the Solomon Islands, whilst Hekari Women FC can now breathe a huge sigh of relief before looking forward to Friday's OFC Women's Champions League 2026 final in Honiara.

Hekari Women FC: 1 (Nenny ELIPAS 86')

Puaikura FC: 0

HT(Halftime): 0-0

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Puaikura FC 🇨🇰

From qualifiers to history makers! The journey isn't over! Off to the semi finals they go!

📸 Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Tafea FC secured their place in the semi-finals of the
OFC Women's Champions League with an exhilarating 4-3 success over Ba Women FC in humid and sticky conditions at Honiara International Stadium.

The Vanuatu side were made to work exceedingly hard for progression though, having to come from 2-3 down at half-time and score four superb goals to shake off a Ba Women FC team that pushed them to their limit and beyond.

Needing just a point to qualify for the last four, Tafea FC got off to a flying start by taking an early lead. The Ba Women FC defence failed to sufficiently clear a cross and, after her original header had bounced back fortuitously into her path, Liyo Eramol lashed the loose ball high into the roof of the Ba Women FC net from the edge of the six-yard box.

Ba Women FC responded promptly and drew level midway through the first half. A long ball caused havoc in the Tafea FC rearguard and Elesi Tabunase pounced to break away and calmly slot her right-footed finish past goalkeeper Amelia Reddy.

Tafea FC regained the lead before the interval. A slide-rule pass freed Nettie Kalsau in the 37th minute and her square ball was swept imperiously into the net by Leimata Simon, her fourth goal of the tournament. And yet, incredibly, it was Ba Women FC who led at the break.

Ba Women FC Head Coach Charlene Viti had introduced substitute Narita Leba a couple of minutes before halftime and the replacement had an instant impact slotting home for 2-2. Moments later, a chance was fashioned for Koleta Likuculacula, and she coolly finished to send the Fijians ahead in stoppage time.

In the second half Tafea went looking for the goal that would put them back into a qualifying position with Eramol and Simon causing all sorts of problems with their direct running, and willingness to shoot, and it was from a cut-back by the former that Kalsau hooked home from close range to make it 3-3.

Tafea had enjoyed the better of the opportunities throughout the match and, shortly after the cooling break, took the lead for the third time. A pinpoint corner from Jane Alatoa was met by a thumping header from Limas Erikan that gave Ba Women FC stopper Mereseini Wagali with no chance.

Ba Women FC knew they needed a brace of goals to progress, and they pushed everyone into attack in an attempt to turn the match on its head but were unable to make the inroads required and gallantly bowed out as Tafea FC marched on.

Tafea FC: 4 (Liyo ERAMOL 7’, Leimata SIMON 37, Nettie KALSAU 64', Limas ERIKAN 74’)

Ba Women FC: 3 (Elesi TABUNASE 23', Narieta LEBA 45', Koleta LIKUCULACULA 45+4')

📸 Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Congratulations to Puaikura FC Teretia Teinaki, who claims the Player of the Match after a determined performance with a historic result. 🇨🇰

📸 Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Puaikura FC have produced a spirited comeback to secure a historic place in the semi-finals of OFC Women's Champions League 2026 with a 2-2 draw against Drehu Athletico Club in Group B.

Victoria Fatiaki's second-half equaliser proved enough to send the Cook Islands champions into the semi-finals on goal difference, making Puaikura the first club from the Cook Islands to reach the knockout stage of either the men's or women's OFC Champions League.

With defending champions Auckland United FC already through, the final semi-final place came down to the last Group B fixture. Drehu needed all three points to advance, while a draw was enough for Puaikura to progress on goal difference.

Heavy rain made conditions difficult from the opening whistle, but Drehu settled quickest - pressing high and controlling possession as they looked determined to find the breakthrough. Kine Hmaen, Cina Kourevi and Kané Dralu combined well in attack, with Dralu's pace causing problems down the right flank.

After knocking on the door for much of the first, the breakthrough came when a perfectly weighted pass released Kine Hmaen in behind the defence and after the keeper lost her footing, Hmaen kept her composure to slot home for a 1-0 lead.

Puaikura remained organised at the back and looked to strike on the counter through Primrose Savage, who was at the heart of most of their attacking moves. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Savage whipped a free kick into the penalty area, feeding Ngamata Moekaa who powered a header into the net, and levelling the scores at 1-1.

Drehu wasted little time restoring their advantage after the restart, when Cina Kourevi's long-range effort from the right slipped through the gloves of C-Jay Rimamotu, giving the New Caledonian side a 2-1 lead. Needing only an equaliser to book their place in the semi-finals, Puaikura responded with urgency and began to commit more players forward.

Their best chance fell to Victoria Fatiaki, who was played through on goal but could not take advantage. She would not miss a second time though, when another incisive through ball released Fatiaki in behind the defence, and the forward lifted her finish over the advancing goalkeeper to draw Puaikura level.

Drehu continued to press for a winner, stretching the Puaikura defence and looking to exploit the wide areas that had brought them success throughout the match. Korevi and Hmaen led the attacking charge, creating several dangerous opportunities with relentless pressure, but Puaikura's defence stood firm to preserve the draw.

The result confirms Puaikura FC's place in the semifinals as Group B runners-up, a significant milestone for Cook Islands football. They'll meet the winners of Group A in the last four.

Drehu Athletico Club: 2 (Kine HMAEN 15’, Cina
KOUREVI 48')

Puaikura FC: 2 (Ngamata MOEKAA 43', Victoria FATIAKI 72')

HT(Halftime): 1-1

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

The first player representing a Vanuatu club to score a hat-trick at the OFC Women's Champions League!

Your Player of the Match is Tafea FC captain Leimata
Simon 🇻🇺

📸 Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Key to the comeback!

When Hekari Women FC have scored three late goals to defeat 10-man Ba Women FC 3-1 of matchday 2 in Group A.

Nenny Elipas is your Player of the Match 🇵🇬

📸 Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

A hat-trick from captain Leimata Simon has propelled Tafea FC to a convincing 6-0 victory over Henderson Eels FC in Group A at OFC Women's Champions League 2026.

Simon scored both first half goals, and then added another in the second, becoming the first player representing a Vanuatu club to score a hat-trick in the competition's history, and helping Tafea to their biggest OFC Women's Champions League win.

Semi-finalists in 2025, Henderson Eels were disappointing in a 0-6 defeat to Ba Women FC in their tournament opener and struggled again here against a Tafea side who had drawn 2-2 with three-time runners-up Hekari Women on the first matchday. The defeat means the tournament hosts have been eliminated from OFC Women's Champions League 2026 with a match to spare.

Tafea dictated the contest from the off, controlling possession and keeping the hosts pinned inside their own half for long stages.

It took just eight minutes for the breakthrough, captain Leimata Simon heading the ball past goalkeeper Betty Sade after being played in-behind by a beautiful delivery over the top of the Eels defence from Jane Alatoa.

Simon struck the crossbar from a similar position moments later, whilst Charlotte Vuti also forced a save out of Sade, as Tafea remained on the front foot.

Using Madeline Arakau and captain lleen Pegi, the Eels made more of an effort to push forward and keep possession after a difficult opening quarter. Still, they struggled to piece anything together in attack though and left themselves vulnerable in transition.

Leimata Simon scored her second goal just before half-time, doubling Tafea's lead after latching onto another long ball in-behind the Eels defence.

Three goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half then put the game to bed and wrapped up the three points for Tafea FC.

A poor error from the Eels whilst playing out from the back allowed Liyo Eramol to score the fourth goal in the 49th minute. And Leimata Simon completed her hat-trick five minutes later, latching onto another flighted ball over the top of the defence, and rolling it through the legs of the goalkeeper, for an historic hat-trick.

Simon then turned provider for the fifth goal in the 57th minute, perfectly finding the head of substitute Nettie Kalsau to score from a delivery off the right. It was another substitute, Pindy Erikan, who rounded out the scoring for Tafea, adding the sixth late in regular time.

Henderson Eels did have one chance to add a
consolation of their own late in the piece, but captain leen Pegi was denied in a one-on-one situation as Amelia Reddy maintained a clean sheet between the Tafea sticks.

The win sees Tafea FC jump to the top of Group A on four points, but with a higher goal difference than Hekari Women FC. They will face Ba Women on Saturday, whilst already-eliminated Henderson Eels FC will attempt to rescue some pride from their campaign against Hekari.

Henderson Eels FC: 0

Tafea FC: 6 (Leimata SIMON 8', 45+1', 54', Liyo ERAMOL 49', Nettie KALSAU 57', Pindy ERIKAN 86')

HT(Halftime): 0-2

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Women's Champions League

Hekari Women FC have scored three late goals to defeat 10-man Ba Women FC 3-1 in Group A at OFC
Women's Champions League 2026.

Narieta Leba gave the Fijian side the lead in the first half at the National Stadium in Honiara, but a red card in second half stoppage time opened the floodgates as Hekari Women flipped the contest to claim a crucial three points.

Hekari Women FC won 6-1 when the two sides met in the semi-finals of OFC Women's Champions League 2025 last year in Tahiti, but were forced to work much harder for victory here. Ericsson Komeng made four changes, reintroducing four of his big guns to the Hekari starting line-up, including Ramona Padio and Nenny Elipas, and they started a lot quicker than they had in their opening Group A encounter three days earlier.

Ba Women goalkeeper Mereseini Waqali was forced into two fingertip stops in the space of 90 seconds, first denying Michaelyne Butubu, and then Adi Litia Bakaniceva. Padio also struck the crossbar with a header from the resulting corner.

Padio directed another free header wide soon after, whilst Nenny Elipas shanked an effort over the top after running in-behind, as Hekari continued to catch out their opponents with speed up front and in transition.

It was therefore against the run of play when Ba Women opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. They were lucky to still be level but had Narieta Leba to thank when she beat Anashtasia Gunemba to a searching pass in-behind, and powered home a shot that Betty Sam couldn't keep out, for her second goal of the tournament.

Hekari Women had fashioned most of the chances, but Ba only needed one to hit the front and take the lead into half-time.

The three-time former runners-up continued to dictate possession and territory in the second half but struggled to create the same chances they had in the first against a more organised Ba defence. Scrambling for options, Komeng made the decision to take off two of his key players, Padio and captain Marie Kaipu, in favour of fresh legs.

It was one of those substitutes brought on that provided the equaliser for Hekari Women, albeit in scrappy circumstances. Ba Women goalkeeper Waqali failed to deal with a routine delivery into the box from Elipas, and Fijian international Maria Veronika was on hand to slot home from close range in the 71st minute.

A second yellow card for Serena Naweni in the second minute of second half stoppage-time proved the key moment in the game though, reducing Ba Women to ten players from which they finally caved under the pressure.

Nenny Elipas scored the crucial go-ahead goal for Hekari in the 95th minute, pouncing on a rebounded shot from Calista Maneo, before Phylis Pala made sure of the three points with the third goal two minutes later.

Victory propels Hekari Women FC to the top of Group A with four points from their two matches, above Ba Women FC on three. Hekari face Henderson Eels FC in their last group game on Saturday, whilst Ba Women FC will take on Tafea FC, with semi-final places still up for grabs.

Hekari Women FC: 3 (Maria VERONIKA 71', Nenny Elipas 90+5’, Phylis PALA 90+7’)

Ba Women FC: 1 (Narieta LEBA 33’)

HT(Halftime): 0-1

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)