Solomon Islands women’s national football team remains determined after 8-0 match with New Zealand Ferns
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Islands women’s national football team had a tough game with the heavily-fancied New Zealand Football Ferns in their second outing of the Oceania qualifiers with the Ferns winning the match with a 8-0 score.
Despite the defeat, the team remains determined after having played alongside experienced players.
Speaking after the match, head coach Daniel Barrett did not shy away from the reality of the result, describing the defeat as a reflection of the vast difference in professional standards between the two sides.
“Ah, it’s just a golfing class”, Barrett said candidly. “We’re talking about professional players that play in Europe. And our girls are from the Solomon Islands, so there’s a lot of difference in the way that girls are developed and prepared over time”.
The loss followed the day’s opening fixture which saw American Samoa edge Samoa 1–0, tightening the race behind tournament favorites New Zealand.
Despite the heavy scoreline, Barrett was quick to praise his players for their determination and resilience against one of Oceania’s strongest sides.
“They ran to the very end, tackled to the very end, fought to the very end. I think that deserves a lot of praise and a lot of credit”, he said. “Anyone here playing New Zealand is going to find it difficult”.
Barrett emphasized that the team’s refusal to give up reflected the character of the nation.
“They never gave up. They kept fighting to the very end because that’s the type of people Solomon people are. They never give up, they keep fighting, and they stuck together, more importantly”.
The coach also revealed that the national team is currently undergoing a transitional period, with several senior players nearing the end of their international careers.
“It’s no secret; we’re in a transition sort of period with the national team”. he explained. “A lot of our senior players, they’re not going to be here next World Cup campaign”.
Barrett, who is known for his development background in Australia, said the focus has already shifted towards grooming the next generation of players.
“You’ll see we’ve given young players an opportunity here… because we know that in time, we have to be able to replace these players with good young players”.
He acknowledged that fielding young, inexperienced players at this level naturally comes with mistakes, particularly under intense pressure from seasoned professional opponents.
“Young players are going to make mistakes, particularly under pressure. We need to give these young girls an opportunity to start to feel comfortable in international football. It’s part of development”.
With one match remaining against Samoa, Barrett maintained that the team’s ambition remains unchanged.
“Every game we want to win, even tonight”, he said. “If we can bring the energy and effort that we brought tonight, I think we’ll do well in the Samoa game”.
He also expressed appreciation for the local supporters who turned out in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
“The people here have been fantastic by coming out and supporting the girls… if they can come out and support us for that last game, that’d be really good”.
Barrett dismissed suggestions that the team had regressed compared to previous campaigns, reiterating that all nations in the region are improving.
“All these nations now are trying to get better, and we’re trying to do the same as well. But this takes time”, he said.
While the 8–0 defeat serves as a stark reminder of the gap between Solomon Islands and Oceania’s powerhouse, the coach remains focused on long-term growth rather than short-term disappointment.
“We still try and win every game”, Barrett concluded. “But at the same time, we have to evaluate every single player and see if they’re improving as individuals — and are they players that we see we want involved with us in four years’ time?”
For now, the Solomon Islands women will regroup, refocus, and prepare for their final fixture — carrying lessons from a tough night against the region’s benchmark side.
Photo credit: SIFF
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