PAPUA New Guinea’s Under-16 Womens National Team will make their semi-finals appearance tomorrow evening as the OFC U16 championships kicks off in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

It’s been 10 years, since the junior team made a finals appearance as they look compete qualify for the U17 FIFA Womens’ World Cup against New Zealand, on Independence Day.

This follows after their last appearance a decade ago finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the final in 2016.  

Their rise back to the top four has been remarkable, having received a late call-up to join the tournament following Tahiti’s withdrawal.

Despite their opening loss against New Caledonia in the pool matches, PNG recovered with back to back wins to secure the semi-final spot under leadership of Coach Susan Steven.

PNGs main purpose throughout their campaign is to continuously develop their players on and off the field as they head into an important match tomorrow evening at the Honiara National Stadium.

Qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time will be a challenge to defeat New Zealand who remain unbeaten in previous tournaments.

The Young Football Ferns have never lost or drawn one of their 31 matches since the inaugural edition of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in 2010, winning all seen titles, and qualifying for all nine FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup’s.  

With so much on the line, Papua New Guinea will need to produce something extraordinary if they are to end New Zealand’s impressive unbeaten run.  

PNG face New Zealand in the first semi-final at 4pm local time, before New Caledonia face Fiji at 7pm local time, with the winners to qualify for the global finals in Morocco next year, and advance to the continental final.