A late winner from substitute Bonnie Rice has spared New Zealand’s blushes and ultimately punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship following a 1-0 victory over Fiji at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Rice unleashed a special right-footed shot into the top-right corner of the net from long range with just moments of second half stoppage-time to play, saving the Young Football Ferns from failing to win an OFC U-16 Women’s Championship match for the first time in the competition’s 16-year history.
The result — and a scoreless draw in the group’s other game — was enough to send New Zealand into the semi-finals of the tournament.
Meeting at the championship for the first time since the 2023 final (when New Zealand relied on another late goal to win 1-0 in identical fashion), Fiji held the seven-time champions scoreless through the first half and even spurned a chance to hit the front when Varanisese Naiqarau missed a one-on-one opportunity.
It was only the fourth time that New Zealand had failed to score a goal in a half of football at the competition, with Ruby Barber hitting the base of the left post on the rebound after initially forcing a save from Fijian goalkeeper Shalom Cokanauto.
When Jess Saunders had a goal disallowed for offside at the start of second half stoppage-time, it appeared as if Fiji would hang on for an historic result.
Rice came to the rescue, though, with her individual moment of brilliance in the 94th minute securing victory.
Fiji were heartbroken at the final whistle but fired a warning that they can compete with the title favourites at this year’s championship.
Main photo: Bonnie Rice scored late to earn New Zealand their win. Photo credit: OFC Media / Phototek.
Hosts draw with Cook Islands
The Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands played out a 0-0 draw later in the evening, confirming New Zealand’s spot in the semi-finals.
Both looking to bounce back after heavy opening defeats on the first matchday of the tournament, neither could find their shooting boots in the first goalless draw in three years at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
Playing in front of a home crowd in Honiara, the Solomon Islands created the better of the chances, particularly through forward Janita Ereanimae. She missed three big opportunities in the first half though, firing two wide, and forcing opposing goalkeeper Leah Schuster into a smart stop with her feet from the third.
The Cook Islands had their chances too, substitute Tetianui Pitomaki striking the right post with the best of them five minutes from the end of regulation time.
The result leaves both still playing catch-up in Group A ahead of the final matchday at the National Stadium on Saturday, with the Cook Islands still to play New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands to face Fiji.
Both must win to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stage, with New Zealand already through and Fiji on the precipice.
Acknowledgement
We thank OFC Media for providing information for this story.
What’s at stake
The two finalists at the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Results
Games played on Wednesday September 9, 2026
Group A
New Zealand 1 (Bonnie Rice 90+4′)
Fiji 0
Cook Islands 0
Solomon Islands 0
OFC U-16 Women’s Championship Group A
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
New Zealand
2
2
0
0
6
0
6
6
Fiji
2
1
0
1
11
1
10
3
Solomon Islands
2
0
1
1
0
5
-5
1
Cook Islands
2
0
1
1
0
11
-11
1
Fixtures
Games to be played on Thursday September 10, 2026
Group B
Papua New Guinea v Tonga
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Samoa v New Caledonia
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
OFC U-16 Women’s Championship Group B
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
New Caledonia
1
1
0
0
5
2
3
3
Samoa
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
Tonga
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
Papua New Guinea
1
0
0
1
2
5
-3
0
Games to be played on Saturday September 12, 2026
Group A
Cook Islands v New Zealand
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Solomon Islands v Fiji
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Sunday September 13, 2026
Group B
Tonga v New Caledonia
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Papua New Guinea v Samoa
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Wednesday September 16, 2026
Semi-final 1
Winner Group A v Runners-up Group B
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Semi-final 2
Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday September 17, 2026
Play-off for 7th place
4th Group A v 4th Group B
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Play-off for 5th place
3rd Group A v 3rd Group B
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Saturday September 19, 2026
Play-off for 3rd place
Losers semi-final 1 v losers semi-final 2
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 5pm (NZT)
Winners semi-final 1 v winners semi-final 2
National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8pm (NZT)
This story was first published on September 9, 2026.