Solomon win historic Nations Cup title

The Solomon Islands have won their first ever OFC Women’s Nations Cup title, in their first ever final.

The Solomon Islands players celebrate with the fans after their semi-final win. On Saturday they had even more to cheer for. (Photo: Kirk Corrie / Phototek)

Papua New Guinea – Solomon Islands 2-3 (after extra time)

Papua New Guinea were the favourites going in to the final. They were defending champions and the Solomon Islands were in their first ever final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji for the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup.

But it was the yellow-clad Solomons who scored first, when Lorina Solosaia put them in front after 18 minutes.

It looked like the teams would go into the break with that scoreline, but in the last few minutes everything happened quickly.

First PNG captain Ramona Padio capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake from Zainab Donga, to equalise in the 42nd minute.

But just two minutes later, disaster struck for PNG.

Defender Merolyne Sali tried to stop a clear cut goalscoring opportunity for the Solomon Islands and she was sent off.

And on the ensuing free kick, Madeline Aruaku expertly curled the ball into the net to give the Solomons the lead back.

In the second half PNG kept pursuing an equaliser and looked the better side, despite being one player down.

And just past the hour mark Padio once again popped up to give PNG hope, with her second goal of the match, sending a free kick in off the crossbar.

Neither team could find the goal in the remaning 25 minutes, and the match went to extra time.

There it only took five minutes for the Solomons to take the lead back for the third time in the game.

Substitute Jemina David was released up the pitch following a clever throw-in.

Alone with the goalkeeper, she made no mistake and slotted the final goal of the match into the back of the net.

PNG tried to find a way back, but could not, and the Solomon Islands could celebrate their first ever OFC Women’s Nations Cup win.

Earlier in the day, Samoa shocked the host nation Fiji and secured their first ever medal at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup. They beat the host side 2-0 in the bronze final.