The New Zealand U-20 women have confirmed their place in next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup but it wasn’t easy.

The Gemma Lewis-coached team, who had dominated the OFC U-19 Championship in the Cook Islands, were put under pressure by a highly-motivated New Caledonia side in the final. They responded with a 5-2 win at a packed out and rowdy CIFA Academy to secure their seventh title.

Gabi Rennie and Aneka Mittendorff found the back of the net in the first half both from corner-kicks, but Les Cagous got back into the contest when Cassidy Cawa scored right before the break.

The second-half was tight before New Zealand took control of the final as the New Caledonians, playing in their first final, defended staunchly but could not keep with the pace of the game.

Rennie gave New Zealand breathing space with a superb strike in the 68^th minute and there was more to come.  Maggie Jenkins, the provider of the opening two goals, capped of a special performance when she scored in the 72^nd minute and Kelli Brown added a fifth goal a few minutes later. 

Jackie Pahoa scored a late consolation for New Caledonia, but soon after New Zealand were celebrating.

Head Coach Lewis was proud of the way her squad performed throughout the tournament and the way they responded to the pressure in the final.

“It is a great feeling to win this title and book our place in the World Cup,” said Lewis, who is leading the NZ U-20 team for the first time.  “We have to give credit to New Caledonia, they didn’t make the final easy for us but the way we responded was a great display of character. We were able to withstand that period of pressure and then scored three quick goals in the second half which was the difference. They fully deserve this win.”

After a period of early pressure, it took 17 minutes for the defending champions to find the opening goal. Jenkins delivered a fine ball from a corner kick to find Rennie at the far post and she headed home.

New Zealand came again and went 2-0 when Jenkins delivered another accurate corner kick that was not well handled by the New Caledonian defence. Mittendorff was in the thick of the goal-mouth scramble and lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

New Zealand had not conceded a goal all tournament but that changed in the 45^th minute when Cawa converted on the end of a free-kick to send the crowd into raptures.

The defending champions had to work hard in the second half to break Le Cagous down but when they did the goals came freely. They scored three in eight minutes to ensure they could enjoy the final 20 minutes. Brown’s goal was the final in the back of the net for New Zealand which was fitting as it brought up her 21^st in the tournament.

New Caledonia never gave up and were rewarded in the 85^th minute when Pahoa hit a long range strike to beat captain Nadia Olla in goal.

New Zealand will now prepare for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2020 where they will look to advance out of their pool for only the second time.

Brown was awarded the Golden Boot and Corail Harry (Tahiti) won the Golden Gloves, and Grace Wisnewski was awarded the Golden Ball for the Player of the Tournament.   

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship Final
New Caledonia 2 (Cassidy Cawa 45’, Jackie Pahoa 85') 
New Zealand 5 (Gabi Rennie 17’, 68’, Aneka Mittendorff 31’, Maggie Jenkins 72’, Kelli Brown 75’)
HT: 1-2

New Zealand: 1. Nadia Olla (GK) (c), 3. Hannah McKay Wright (15. Dani Ward 68’), 4. Aneka Mittendorff, 5. Marisa Van Der Meer, 7. Gabi Rennie, 8. Amelia Abbott, 9. Maggie Jenkins, 10. Grace Wisnewski, 11. Kelli Brown (14. Arabella Maynard 78’), 13. Charlotte Wilford Carroll (19. Ava Collins 46’), 16. Lara Wall.

Subs not used: 2. Alisha Perry (GK), 6. Rose Morton, 17. Tahlia Herman-Watt, 18. Rene Wasi
Coach: Gemma Lewis

Article added: Friday 13 September 2019