The Fijian Kulas suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to a determined Vanuatu side in their final Group B match of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025. Despite the loss, the hosts advanced to the semi-finals on goal difference, setting up a rematch with Papua New Guinea—the same opponent from the 2022 final.
Fiji was reduced to ten players within the first 20 minutes after captain Jotivini Tabua was controversially shown a straight red card. The decision, met with disbelief by the home crowd, immediately put the Kulas at a disadvantage. Still, they battled valiantly under pressure.
Vanuatu capitalized on the numerical edge shortly afterward. In the 31st minute, star forward Leimata Simon spotted goalkeeper Emily Esposito off her line and delivered a stunning long-range strike into the top corner—an early contender for goal of the tournament. The effort not only secured the victory but also moved Simon to the top of the Golden Boot standings.
Even with a player down, Fiji pushed hard for an equalizer. Nasau came close just before halftime, unleashing a sweetly struck half-volley that narrowly missed the target. Early in the second half, Trina Davis broke behind the defense, only to be denied by Vanuatu goalkeeper Amelia Reddy, who raced off her line to shut down the opportunity.
The story of Fiji’s night, however, became one of missed chances—particularly from substitute striker Leba Narieta, who had five clear opportunities to bring her side level. On each occasion, nerves or defensive pressure proved decisive, and Vanuatu held their ground.
Needing a second goal to leapfrog Fiji in the standings, Vanuatu threw everything forward in the closing minutes. Their final chance came from an 87th-minute free kick by Henriette Sangul, but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Despite being under pressure for much of the match and playing with ten players, the Kulas displayed impressive resilience, holding firm to preserve their slender goal difference advantage and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Fiji’s earlier 3–2
win over the Solomon Islands and 3–0 victory against Tonga proved decisive in edging out Vanuatu. They now look ahead to a high-stakes showdown with Papua New Guinea, with a place in the final—and a shot at redemption—on the line.
