Fiji’s Junior Kulas are set for a crucial semifinal against New Caledonia tonight at the National Stadium in Honiara, with a place in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship final and qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on the line.

The Junior Kulas advanced after finishing second in Group A. They defeated the Cook Islands and hosts Solomon Islands before suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to defending champions New Zealand, who scored in stoppage time.

New Caledonia come into the semifinal unbeaten, having won all three of their Group B matches.

The two sides have previously met once in an OFC U-16 Women’s Championship semifinal, with New Caledonia winning in 2017.

Tonight’s encounter also presents both teams with an opportunity to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Fiji head coach Nicola Demaine expects a challenging match against a technically strong New Caledonian side, but believes Fiji’s physical strengths could prove important.

Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Fiji time, while New Zealand and Papua New Guinea meet in the first semifinal at 5 p.m.