Three Wellington Phoenix academy players have helped New Zealand to a triumph at the U-16 OFC Women’s Championship in Fiji.
Mackenzie Bryant, Katie Pugh, and Holly Robins were all part of the squad that lifted the trophy on Saturday.
It was a comprehensive victory for New Zealand, winning all five of their games without conceding a single goal.
Bryant was named captain, leading them to an 8-0 victory over New Caledonia in the opening group game.
Robins played the second half as New Zealand swept to a comfortable win.
For the second game, against Tahiti, Robins earned more playing time, joining Bryant in the starting XI.
She marked it with a goal, scoring the second in a 5-0 win.
The final group match against the Solomon Islands was the closest of the tournament for New Zealand.
Bryant was absent for this game, but Robins kept her place in the lineup. Pugh would join her for her first minutes of the tournament.
An early goal turned out to be enough, as New Zealand secured a 1-0 win and first place in Group B.
This set up a semi-final clash against Tonga, where Pugh made her first start, with Robins moving to the bench.
Pugh scored as well, netting the second goal in a dominating 8-0 victory.
The final, against Samoa, proved to be another comfortable win for New Zealand.
Both Pugh and Robins began the match, with Pugh handed the captain’s armband for the decider.
She also netted the first goal of the game, setting New Zealand on course for a 4-0 scoreline, and the overall tournament victory.
Making the final means that New Zealand have qualified for the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup, to be held in Morocco.
