Samoan teen makes goal scoring record

By Gutu Faasau 06 June 2023, 6:32PM

A 13-year-old Samoan who plays for the local club Kiwi FC has become the youngest goal scorer at the inaugural OFC Women's Champions League in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

In just their second game in the tournament, the Samoan football club has claimed the honour of having the youngest player to score in the inaugural OFC Women's Champions League.

In an interview with the OFC, the Kiwi FC striker Florencina Kalifa said she was elated at scoring in their match against Solomon Island's Koloale FC.

"Feel very happy because I am doing this for my family, football club and for my school Leififi College," she said. 

The Samoan football club was awarded a free kick after the Koloale right back was penalised for a handball by the referee. 

Kiwi FC's Hana Malo Vaga hit the sidebar with her free kick and Kali instinctively moved into the right place at the right time to receive a rebound from the goalpost, which she kicked into the net for Samoa's first and only goal against the Solomon Islands side in the 56th minute of the match. 

Sharing the limelight alongside the youngest OFC Women's Champions League goal scorer was the Kiwi FC goalkeeper Repeka Asofa Salele, who picked up the player of the match honours. In an epic battle against Koloale FC, Salele's valiant efforts as the goalkeeper impressed the match officials, as she consistently fended off numerous attempts at goal by the Solomon Islands team.

Despite the heroic efforts of the two Samoan players on Monday, the Solomon Islanders eventually prevailed to run out 1–2 victors. Merina Joe (73) and Donna Kairi (84) were the goal scorers for Koloale FC.

The next match for coach Leti Tamasese and her team is on Thursday this week when they take on the New Caledonia team AS Academy Féminine on the seventh day of the tournament. 

By Gutu Faasau 06 June 2023, 6:32PM
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