Source: OFC
Samoa have booked their place in the final four at OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023 in Suva this Wednesday.
But were made to work in overcoming a dogged display from Tahiti, eventually settled by a penalty shoot-out in Suva.
As had been on display in the group stages, Samoa’s potent front three of Lilly Dowsing, Whitney Avei and Sariah Taeaoalii were at the forefront of their attack but were frustrated by a well-drilled and committed Tahitian defence as they looked to impose their will on proceedings.
In the first minute of stoppage time in the first-half, Samoa finally got the breakthrough and it was no surprise that it came from Sariah Taeaoalii. Finding herself with time and space on the right-hand side, she drove towards the Tahiti goal, showing outstanding composure to round El Hadj Kaddour and roll the ball into an unguarded net.
With just over ten minutes to go, the impressive Krystal Vivish was upended in the penalty box after working her way past two defenders, the referee not hesitating in pointing at the spot. Vivish dusted herself down before assuming penalty duties and calmly rolling the ball past Viliamu to the stopper’s left.
It was, as had seemed inevitable, penalties to be the decider. Both sides were denied three times from the spot, until the responsibility eventually fell to Samoa’s Grace Taeaoalii after Tewila Tagi had seen her effort saved. Taeaoalii made no mistake, rolling the ball into the corner and ensuring Samoa’s Semi-Final berth on Wednesday.
