Akuila Cama 
[Pic:OFC Media]
New Zealand scored a goal in added time to beat Fiji 1-0 and book their semi-final ticket in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
A late winner from substitute Bonnie Rice with just moments of second-half stoppage time to play saved 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.
Fiji were heartbroken at the final whistle but fired a warning that they can compete with the title favourites at this year’s championship.
Meeting at the championship for the first time since the 2023 final, 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.
The Baby Kulas meet Solomon Islands on Saturday in their third pool game.
