Samoa End their Qualifying Campaign on a High with a Win over Solomon Islands

2026-03-05 - 22:47

Source: After a tough loss against New Zealand (8-0) and Pacific Neighbours American Samoa (1-0). The Samoa women’s football side ended their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high with a 2-1 victory over the Solomon Islands. Only pride was at stake for both sides, having already been eliminated from contention for the semi-finals, with Solomon Islands keen to produce a performance to lift the home town crowd. Malia Jessop opened the scoring for Samoa with just over ten minutes left in the first half, producing a fantastic left-footed effort into the far corner, having been found by a Shylah Balla-ateli cutback. Ileen Pegi almost levelled for Solomon Islands, forcing Meripa Seumanutafa into a good save, before Sandy Aniholland did the same, with the Samoa stopper tipping her effort over the bar. The deserved equaliser duly arrived in the 63rd minute, Pegi looping an effort in having been teed up by Teisika Rotoava inside the area. The parity lasted only a quarter of an hour however. Samoa retaking the lead when Edith Nari stretched to head away a free-kick, only succeeding in lifting the ball over Margaret Kofela and into her own net. Solomon Islands continued to create chances in the final minutes as they pressed for an equaliser, including rattling the crossbar, but Samoa’s defence was able to hold on and sign off from their campaign with the three points. Samoa: 2 (Malia JESSOP 36′, Own Goal 78′) Solomon Islands: 1 (Ileen PEGI 63′)