The Ford Football Ferns have secured their place in next month’s Semi-Finals of the Oceania Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup after beating the Solomon Islands 8-0.

The Kiwis are now two steps away from a place in Brazil next year, after dispatching hosts Solomon Islands in their second Group A match in Honiara.

The thrashing a repeat of last week's result over Samoa, even seeing another Ferns hattrick. Hannah Blake following Kelli Brown’s earlier exploits, taking home the match ball tonight in Honiara.

The result means New Zealand Aotearoa cannot finish lower than second in their group after their two opening wins and following American Samoa’s 1-0 victory over Samoa. Despite being level on 6 points with American Samoa, the Ferns are top of Group A with a vastly superior goal difference.

Thursday’s final Group A match against American Samoa will determine who finishes top and who plays the winner and runner up of Group B in Kirikiriroa Hamilton next month. Currently, there is a three-way tie for top spot in Group B between Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia who all have 3 points.

The Ford Football Ferns, just like they did against Samoa, made a rapid start, opening the scoring just before the two-minute mark. Milly Clegg nabbing her first of the tournament with a powerful finish past the Solomons Island keeper, following an unsuccessful clearance from the defence.

It was only minutes later before the Ferns would have a second goal, a counterattack leading to Hannah Blake finding herself in space in the Solomon Islands box. Blake’s blocked cross finding itself at the feet of Indiah Page-Riley, who with a gorgeous first time shot curled the ball into the top left corner.

Hannah Blake’s lively performance starting with a maiden international goal on the 16-minute mark. The forward deftly controlling a long-range pass from Liz Anton, putting her one on one with the Solomon Islands’ keeper who couldn’t keep out Blake’s low shot to make it 3-0.

The score would remain the same until just after the hour mark in Honiara. Charlotte Lancaster’s cross cleared only as far as Grace Jale on the edge of the box. The forward catching the ball sweetly on the half volley with a piledriver which proved too much for the goalkeeper.

The hosts’ good period in keeping the Kiwis out falling apart from here on. Lancaster’s marauding runs down the left flank proving fruitful again minutes later with a cross into the heart of the Solomon Islands’ box for Hannah Blake to volley home and grab her second of the night to make it 5-0.

Hannah Blake completed her hattrick and New Zealand’s sixth goal on the 70^th minute mark, rounding the keeper calmly following a deep chipped pass from Emma Pijenburg.

Substitute and newly capped Ford Football Fern, Pia Vlok getting in on the action soon after with her first goal for the Ferns, contouring her body enough to direct the ball into the Solomon Islands goal after a stinging shot on goal from Michaela Foster.

The eighth and final strike of the night coming from New Zealand’s number 9, Milly Clegg bundling home another Charlotte Lancaster cross after a mix up between the hosts’ defenders and goalkeeper.

The big night also giving Ford Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne the ability to blood more new talent too, with Suya Haering making her international debut.

Next month’s two Semi-Finals will be played in Kirikiriroa Hamilton on Sunday 12 April, kicking off at 12pm and 4pm, at FMG Stadium Waikato.

The Final will be played in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Wednesday 15 April, kicking off at 7pm, at North Harbour Stadium. 

Article added: Monday 02 March 2026