2023 OFC Women's Champions League explained

Tourney Name:OFC Women's Champions League
Year:2023
Country:Papua New Guinea
Dates:1–10 June 2023[1]
Num Teams:5
Associations:5
Count:1
Second Other: Hekari United
Matches:10
Goals:44
Player: Edsy Matao
Goalkeeper: Sylvester Maenu’u
Fair Play: Hekari United
Nextseason:2024

The 2023 OFC Champions League was the inaugural edition of the OFC Women's Champions League, Oceania's premier women's club football tournament organized by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

AS Academy won the first ever edition of the tournament after winning all four of their matches.[2] [3] [4]

Teams

A total of 6 teams from 6 (out of 11)OFC member associations entered the competition.

AssociationTeamQualifying method
Teams entering the group stage
FijiLabasa2022 Fiji Women's Super League champions
New CaledoniaAS Academy2022 National Championship champions
New ZealandEastern Suburbs[5] 2022 New Zealand Women's National League grand final champions
Papua New GuineaHekari United2021–22 Papua New Guinea Women's National Soccer League champions
SamoaKiwi2022 FFS Women's National League champions
Solomon IslandsKoloale2022 Women's Premier League champions
Associations that did not enter a team

Group stage

Originally the six teams were to be split into two groups of three with the two group winners advancing to the final. Eastern Suburbs pulled out of the competition after the draw, citing concerns about costs, timing and security.[5] The five remaining teams played each other on a round-robin basis at a centralised venue in Papua New Guinea.[6] [7]

The draw of the original group stage was announced by the OFC on 4 May 2023.[8] [9] The 6 teams were drawn into two groups of three.

All times were local, PGT (UTC+10).

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Statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank[10] PlayerTeamGoals
1 Marie Kaipu Hekari United9
2 Christelle Wahnawe AS Academy6
3 Alice Wenessia AS Academy4
4 Unaisi Tuberi Labasa3
5 Nenny Elipas Hekari United2
Stella Naivalulevu Labasa
712 players1

Awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.[11] [12]

AwardPlayerTeam
Golden Ball Edsy Matao AS Academy
Golden Boot Marie Kaipu Hekari United
Golden Glove Sylvester Maenu’u Koloale
Fair Play Award Hekari United

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: OFC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESCHEDULED. Oceania Football Confederation. 15 February 2023. 4 May 2023.
  2. Web site: 15 June 2023 . AS Academy Feminine's glorious journey in 2023 OFC Women's Champions League . 27 June 2023 . FIFA.com.
  3. Web site: 10 June 2023 . AS Academy Féminine fight back to win inaugural OFC Women's Champions League . 27 June 2023 . Oceania Football Confederation.
  4. Web site: 10 June 2023 . Academy Féminine win inaugural OFC Women's Champions League . 27 June 2023 . FootballOceania.com.
  5. Web site: Eastern Suburbs pull out of inaugural OFC Women's Champions League. friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 May 2023. 26 May 2023.
  6. Web site: OFC Competitions 2023 Calendar confirmed 1/01/2023 . Oceania Football Confederation . 25 February 2023.
  7. Web site: OFC Women's Champions League has new dates set. Oceania Football Center. 16 February 2023. 4 May 2023.
  8. Web site: WATCH: OFC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023 DRAW COMPLETED. Oceania Football Confederation. 4 May 2023. 4 May 2023.
  9. Web site: Eastern Suburbs to face sides from PNG and Solomon Islands in tournament. friendsoffootballnz.com. 4 May 2023. 4 May 2023.
  10. Web site: OFC Women's Champions League 2023. oceaniafootball.com. Oceania Football Confederation. 5 June 2023.
  11. Web site: Inaugural OFC Women's Champions League draws praise from FIFA. friendsoffootballnz.com. 12 June 2023. 14 June 2023.
  12. Web site: Football: Fifa delighted with first women's Champions League. New Zealand Herald. Radio New Zealand. 13 June 2023. 14 June 2023.