Defending champions Auckland United edge Tafea to set up third straight OFC Women’s Champions League final against PNG’s Hekari Women FC
[Published on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026]
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
The stage is now set for another trans-Tasman showdown in Honiara after defending champions Auckland United FC booked their place in the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Vanuatu’s Tafea FC in Tuesday’s second semi-final at the National Stadium in Honiara.
According to an OFC Media match report, the New Zealand champions had to overcome a resilient Tafea outfit before second-half goals from Charley March and Olivia Ingham secured their place in a third consecutive OFC Women’s Champions League final, where they will once again meet Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Women FC on Friday.
The report said Auckland United controlled much of the opening half but struggled to convert their dominance into goals as Tafea goalkeeper Amelia Reddy produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate the tournament favourites.
Despite scoring 18 goals during the group stage, Auckland United found chances difficult to finish, with Aniela Jensen missing an open goal while Charley March also sent an effort wide after connecting with a cross from captain Talisha Green.
“Tafea themselves offered a couple of glimpses of their potential on the counterattack with Leimata Simon up top but were otherwise well organised defensively to keep Auckland United scoreless at the break,” the OFC Media report stated.
The breakthrough finally arrived three minutes after halftime when March’s delivery from the left flank caught Reddy off her line and found the back of the net to give Auckland United the lead.
Only seven minutes later, Olivia Ingham doubled the advantage, calmly finishing Siobhan Edwards’ accurate cross to register her fourth goal of the tournament.
Tafea refused to surrender and mounted a late fightback through Nettie Kalsau, whose well-taken strike in the 87th minute reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.
“There were some nerves for Auckland when seven minutes were scheduled for second-half stoppage time, but the New Zealand representatives saw out the remainder of the contest to take a big step towards winning a third consecutive OFC Women’s Champions League title,” the report said.
Earlier in the day, Hekari Women FC secured the first place in Friday’s final after defeating Cook Islands side Puaikura FC 1-0 in the opening semi-final. Nenny Elipas scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute to end Puaikura’s spirited resistance and send the Papua New Guinea champions into their third successive final.
Friday’s championship match at Lawson Tama Stadium will produce a familiar contest, with Auckland United and Hekari Women FC meeting in the OFC Women’s Champions League final for the third consecutive edition.
The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 has been hosted in Honiara over the past two weeks, bringing together the region’s top women’s clubs.
The tournament began with six teams before narrowing to four semi-finalists, with Auckland United chasing a third straight continental title while Hekari Women FC continue their pursuit of a first championship after finishing runners-up in each of the previous three editions.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
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