The Papua New Guinea women’s football team have commenced their campaign with a massive 5-0 win against Vanuatu.

This occurred during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Fiji today.

Pooled in Group B for the Oceania Qualifiers Round 2, PNG did not hold back at Ba’s Govind Park when they faced the Melanesian ‘wantoks’ in their opening fixture.  

They began their tenth FIFA Women’s World Cup™ qualification campaign. This is the most appearances of any other OFC Member Associations and proved too strong against Vanuatu, who entered for a fourth appearance.

The PNG ‘Bilums’ asserted themselves early on and effectively claimed all three points in the first 45 minutes. They achieved this with three first half goals.

Superstar captain Ramona Padio made her mark in just five minutes as she linked with Marie Kaipu for the opener.  

Nenny Elipas added PNG’s second in the 15^th minute. Then, Kaipu opened her goal-scoring account for the qualification campaign with the third just before half-time. 

Vanuatu offered more resistance in the second half, with Nettie Kalsau and Leimata Simon causing problems for the opposition defense.

It wasn’t enough to stop PNG from adding two more goals. Padio set up Phylis Pala in the 62^nd minute. Elipas scored her second goal late on to wrap up a comprehensive win. 

The Bilums are expected to face New Caledonia. They will also compete against hosts Fiji in the coming days. More Melanesian football action is to come in this qualifier.

Meanwhile in Group B’s evening fixture, Fiji Kulas netted a 5-0 victory against a young New Caledonia side.

Group A qualifiers were played in Solomon Islands. Oceania’s top seeds New Zealand ‘White Ferns’ demolished Samoa with an 8-0 win.

Underdogs American Samoa erupted as victors.

They secured a narrow win over the current OFC Nations Cup champions and host Solomon Islands at the Honiara National Stadium.

Papua New Guinea: 5 (Ramona PADIO 5’, Nenny ELIPAS 15’, 90′, Marie KAIPU 43’, Phylis PALA 62’) Vanuatu: 0   HT: 3-0 

Other FWQ27 results: Group B: Fiji 5 New Caledonia 0; Group A: New Zealand 8 Samoa 0, American Samoa 1 Solomon Islands 0