OFC Women's Nations Cup explained

OFC Women's Nations Cup
Organiser:OFC
Region:Oceania
Number Of Teams:9 (finals)
Related Comps:OFC Nations Cup
Current Champions:
(1st title)
Most Successful Team:
(6 titles)
Current:2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup

The OFC Women's Nations Cup (previously known as the OFC Women's Championship) is a women's association football tournament for national teams who belong to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). It was held every three years from 1983 to 1989. Currently, the tournament is held at irregular intervals. Of the 12 tournaments that have been held, New Zealand won six of them.

The competition has served as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup since 1991. In 2007, the competition took place in Papua New Guinea for the second time. Tonga and the Solomon Islands each took part for the first time in the four-team event, which was plagued by withdrawals from six squads.

The most recent edition was played in July 2022 in Fiji and was won by Papua New Guinea for the first time.[1]

Only four nations have won the trophy: Australia (3 times), New Zealand (6 times), Chinese Taipei (2 times), and Papua New Guinea (1 time).

Australia ceased to be a member of the OFC on January 1, 2006, having elected to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and hence no longer participate in the tournament.

History

First Tournaments (1983–1989)

The OFC Women's Nations Cup started in 1983 (as the OFC Women's Championship). The first edition took place in New Caledonia, and was won by New Zealand, after defeating Australia 3–2 in Nouméa. New Caledonia and Fiji also participated in this edition. The following edition in 1986, saw New Zealand hosting the tournament. The tournament was won by guests Chinese Taipei, after beating Australia 4–1. A second New Zealand team also played in this tournament following the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea.

Chinese Taipei won again in 1989, on Australian soil, against New Zealand.[2] This edition marked the debut of Papua New Guinea, who lost all of its games.

First World Cup qualifiers (1991–1995)

The tournament returned in 1991, again in Australia; with only three teams: the hosts, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. This competition also served as the qualifying process for the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. New Zealand finished first and qualified for the World Cup.

In 1995, Papua New Guinea was the host. This edition featured the same teams from the previous edition. Australia won the tournament this time and qualified for the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden.

1998 to today

The American Samoa and Samoa made their debuts in 1998. This time, the competition took place in Australia, and was won by them. The country won again in 2003. This was their last participation on the championship before moving to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.

The following editions were all won by New Zealand, with Papua New Guinea in the second place.

Results

The top four placed teams so far were:[3]

Ed.YearHostsFinalThird place play-offNumber of teams
WinnersScoreRunners-upThird placeScoreFourth place
1 1983 New Caledonia3–2Round robin4
2 1986 New Zealand4–10–0
4
31989 Australia1–0Round robin5
41991 AustraliaRound robinN/A3
51994 Papua New GuineaRound robinN/A3
61998 New Zealand3–17–16
72003 AustraliaRound robinRound robin5
82007 Papua New GuineaRound robinRound robin4
92010 New Zealand11–02–08
10 2014 Papua New GuineaRound robinRound robin4
112018 New Caledonia8–07–18
122022 Fiji2–11–1
9
Notes

Teams reaching the top four

TeamChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth place
6 (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)4 (1989, 1994, 1998, 2003)1 (1986)
3 (1994, 1998, 2003)3 (1983, 1986, 1991)1 (1989)
2 (1986, 1989)
1 (2022)3 (2007, 2010, 2014)5 (1991, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2018)
2 (2018, 2022)2 (1983, 1998)
2 (2010, 2014)
1 (2022)2 (2007, 2010)
1 (1983)1 (2018)
1 (2007)1 (2014)
B 1 (1989)
2 (2003, 2022)
B1 (1986)

Participating nations

A total of 15 teams have participated in the tournament, including all 11 current full OFC members (associate members are not allowed entry). Additionally, former OFC members Australia and Chinese Taipei previously participated. The secondary teams of Australia and New Zealand also each participated once.

India were set to enter the 1989 tournament as invited guests, but withdrew after being refused permission to participate by the Indian government.

Legend
width=150Team
1983

1986

1989

1991

1994

1998

2003

2007

2010

2014

2018

2022
Total
1st 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st × 11
× 5th 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 1st 10
2nd 2nd 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 7
5th × 3rd 3rd GS QF 5
4th 4th × × GS 2nd 2nd 5
× 3rd GS 4th GS QF 5
GS 4th × GS 4th 4
3rd × 4th QF 3
4th 4th 3rd 3
× × GS GS QF 3
1st 1st 2
× × GS GS 2
GS × × 1
4th 1
4th 1

Notes

Records and statistics

See main article: OFC Women's Nations Cup records and statistics.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PNG strike early to secure first Oceania Nations Cup title . . 31 July 2022 .
  2. News: Decisive Taipei goal ensures celebration. Graham. Cooke. Brisbane. The Canberra Times. 2 April 1989. 21 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Oceania Cup (Women). RSSSF. 26 January 2013.