The Ford Football Ferns have qualified to represent Aotearoa for the fifth time at the Summer Olympics after winning the OFC Women's Olympic Qualifier 2024 Final against Solomon Islands in Apia, Samoa. 

The 11-1 win came courtesy of goals from Jacqui Hand, Hannah Wilkinson (x2), Katie Bowen, Grace Jale (x2), Indiah-Paige Riley (x2), Katie Kitching (x2) and Ruby Nathan.

In the 12th minute Jacqui Hand, celebrating her 25th birthday, opened the scoring. 

The forward was well found in the box by Hannah Wilkinson, dribbled through the Solomon Islands defenders and finished powerfully past Margaret Kofela in goal. 

The second came from some neat passing play between Indiah-Paige Riley and Grace Jale before Riley picked out Hannah Wilkinson to double the lead in the 20th minute. 

Katie Bowen made it three five minutes later after a brilliant finish from just inside the box.

In the 37th minute the Ferns made it four after Grace Jale was well found by a Jacqui Hand cross. 

Jale had her initial shot blocked but powerfully slotted the rebound into the Solomon Islands net.

With half-time fast approaching, Indiah-Paige Riley made it five with a precise finish across the keeper into the top corner.  

Riley picked up where she left off in the second half scoring her second, and the sixth of the game, with a great first-time finish from close range. 

In the 55th minute a mistake at the back by the Ferns saw the Solomon Islands get one back through substitute Jemina David but one minute later the Ferns had a seventh.  

A whipped cross from Jacqui Hand flashed across the Solomon Islands goal and found the head of Hannah Wilkinson for an easy finish. 

Captain Rebekah Stott, celebrating her 100th Ford Football Ferns game, pushed up the pitch from defence and crossed to Grace Jale for goal number eight, heading into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal was cheered on by the Fiji women’s team in the crowd, celebrating Jale’s Fijian heritage. 

Substitute Katie Kitching got her debut goal and the Ferns ninth in the 70th minute after being well found in space by Jacqui Hand and placing the ball into the top right corner of the net. 

Six minutes later Kitching had her second, putting the scoreline into double figures. 

Kitching’s initial shot was blocked but she picked up the rebound, avoided the Solomon Islands defenders and scored goal number ten.  

With one minute of normal time remaining, 18-year-old substitute Ruby Nathan had her first Ferns goal with a top corner finish after being picked out by player of the match Indiah-Paige Riley. 

The game ended 11-1 with qualification to Paris 2024 secured by Jitka Klimková side. 

Final Score:

Solomon Islands - 1 (Jemina DAVID 55’)

New Zealand - 11 (Jacqui HAND 12’, Hannah WILKINSON 20’, 56’, Katie BOWEN 25’, Grace JALE 37’, 62’ Indiah-Paige RILEY 45+1’, 52’, Katie Kitching 70’, 76’, Ruby NATHAN 88’)

Article added: Monday 19 February 2024