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Samoan U16 Women's Football
Samoan U16 Squad after qualifying for the 2025 World Cup
Head Coach
Juan Chang Urrea
Coaches
Assistant CoachKristina Ahching
Goalkeeper CoachRonisa Lipi
Team ManagerPoto Lio
Gear ManagerEaster Oka
PhysiotherapistBriar Petrie

The Samoa U16 women's football team created history on September 18, 2024, by becoming the first Samoan football team to qualify for a global FIFA World Cup. Lead by Head Coach Juan Chang Urrea, this remarkable achievement came after their 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in the semifinals of the OFC U-16 Women's Championship held in Suva, Fiji. The team's journey was based on the mantra of "believe" instilling a mindset of resilience and determination that propelled them through each match, ultimately culminating in their historic qualification for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup. This not only highlights their talent but also marks a significant moment for women's football in Samoa.

The Qualifying Tournament

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No Samoan football team had ever qualified for a FIFA World Cup tournament at either age-group or senior level. However in June 2024 Samoa dominated the OFC Women’s U-16 Championship – Qualifying held in Auckland, New Zealand. Samoa dispatched Papua New Guinea 11-0 and American Samoa 11-0 to secure the final place at the OFC Women’s U-16 Championship in Fiji in September.

OFC U-16 Women’s Championship

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Samoa were the last team to qualify for the Oceania tournament but quickly became the giant killers of it, going through the group stage without conceding a goal.

Pool Game 1 - Samoa vs Cook Islands

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The first game saw Samoa open their campaign with a dominant 10-0 win over the Cook Islands. It was a statement win that put all teams at the tournament on notice.

Pool Game 2 - Samoa vs Tonga

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Samoa were made to work hard by traditional rivals Tonga for their second win of the competition. This win marked the first time Samoa had won two matches in their OFC U-16 Women’s Championship history and defeating Tonga 2-0 cemented their place at the top of Group A.

Pool Game 3 - Samoa vs Fiji

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In their last group stage game Samoa took on the home nation Fiji. Fiji needed at least a draw to advance, but it was not to be. Samoa broke the nil all deadlock with a long range strike to take a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute of the game. Samoa held on to win and qualify for the semi-final against New Caledonia.

Semi Final - Samoa vs New Caledonia

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A lot was at stake in the semi with the winner guaranteed a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. However two goals inside the opening ten minutes was enough to see Samoa through against a resilient New Caledonia side. The win advanced Samoa to the final and the Samoa U16 women's team secured their spot in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in Morocco in 2025. Prior to this achievement, no Samoan team, male or female, had ever qualified for a FIFA World Cup.

Final - Samoa vs New Zealand

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TBC

Competition Format

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Group A
Team Score Team Score
Cook Islands 0 Samoa 10
Fiji 3 Tonga 3
Samoa 2 Tonga 0
Fiji 2 Cook Islands 0
Tonga 6 Cook Islands 0
Samoa 1 Fiji 0
Group B
Team Score Team Score
New Zealand 8 New Caledonia 0
Tahiti 0 Solomon Islands 2
New Zealand 5 Tahiti 0
Solomon Islands 1 New Caledonia 2
Solomon Islands 0 New Zealand 1
New Caledonia 3 Tahiti 1
Semi Finals
Team Score Team Score
Samoa 2 New Caledonia 0
New Zealand 8 Tonga 0
Final
Team Score Team Score
Samoa TBC New Zealand TBC
3rd and 4th Place Playoff
Team Score Team Score
New Caledonia TBC Tonga TBC
5th and 6th Place Playoff
Team Score Team Score
Fiji 1 Solomon Islands 2
7th and 8th Place Playoff
Team Score Team Score
Cook Islands 1 Tahiti 2

The Squad

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2024 Samoan U16 Women's Football Squad
Number Name
5 T DEVOUX
6 Breanna KITIONA
9 Holly LEAPAI
10 Lynn AIONO SAGIAO (C)
14 Kealia NANSEN
15 Mia AFOA
16 Simone BLOOD
19 Ayres AVA
20 Jayde SAGAPOLUTELE
21 Leah ATUAIA
22 Margaret FAGASUISUI TUII (GK)
1 Siatunuu MCCARTHY (GK)
2 Cali WILLIS
3 Imogen PANAPA
4 Tamani SKEERS
7 Brielle TAUTUA
8 Florencina KALIFA
11 Lahila GALI
13 Mikayla AFOA
17 Grace TAEOALII
18 Kennedy CORKIN
23 Jhalilah SIO

References

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[1] [2] [3]