The national women’s football side has booked a quarterfinal spot in the OFC Women’s Na­tions Cup after beating New Caledonia 3-1 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Sunday night.

Dubbed, the Digicel Kulas, striker Cema Nasau, who was named Player of the Match, said the win was pos­sible through hardwork.

“Playing New Caledonia was tough,” Nasau said.

The Kulas took an early lead when Aliza Hussein slotted in the first goal in the fourth minute.

The Fijians extended their lead in the 44th minute when captain, Sofi Diyalowai, ri­fled in the second goal just before halftime.

The crafty midfielder fur­ther extended the lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute when she scored her second goal.

The visitors pulled one back in the 92nd minute from a Jackie Pahoa goal.

Kulas coach Lisa Cole said: “I thought we were a bit tight in that first game (a 1-1 draw against Solomon Islands) and seemed a bit nervous, which was expected,” she said.

“In this game I said let’s just go out and be brave and go after the game.

“I think we will be happy with the result.”

The Fijians must wait for the result of the Solomon Islands’ final group game against New Caledonia on Wednesday to see if they win the group.

New Caledonia will need a positive result in that same fixture to have any chance of advancing to the final eight.

“We have got a young team and the competition we have been put in is very difficult,” said New Caledonia head coach Michel Berbeche.

“You could see there were many differences between the two teams with the op­posing team having much more experience.

“I am proud of my team be­cause they are here to learn.

“Even if they did not score a goal I would be proud of my team.

Results

Papua New Guinea 2-1 Ta­hiti, Tonga 1-1 Cook Islands.

Fixtures

Today: 7pm Cook Islands v Samoa.

Wednesday: 4.30pm Tahiti v Vanuatu, 7pm New Caledo­nia v Solomon Islands.

Saturday: 4pm Quarterfinal 1, 7.30pm Quarterfinal 2

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj