Olympics 2024: Stars arise at Women’s Football Olympic Qualifiers in Samoa

A number of athletes have caught the attention of football fans at the Oceania Women’s qualifying tournament happening in Samoa.

Eight nations in the Oceania region have been going head to head this week, to win the right to compete in the Olympic games this year.

Oceania Football Federation spokesperson Matt Brown was excited to see a number of stars stand out throughout the tournament.

“You see players rise among the times, for example American Samoa, a country of 60,000 people, they don’t have a women’s development programme [and although they’ve been beaten convincingly in most matches - Morgan Patea is a superstar!

“Ileen Peegi for the Solomon Islands [is another], scoring a hat trick yesterday to get them into the semi-finals to beat Papua New Guinea the Pacific Games champions.

“The Samoan team, the host team, have a number of players who’ve really excelled. Saraiah Taeaoaliii, she’s from Utah, grandfather from Samoa, she’s been absolutely brilliant!”

Brown says the tournament has been a good platform for people around the world to tune in to what’s been happening in the South Pacific.

“We hope of course at OFC that the odd player is scouted and perhaps gets a contract, further their career, further their livelihood, just get that break.

“One thing we’re really hot on is developing football within the islands, improving infrastructure, and coaching. The Women’s World Cup had a massive impact in growing the interest of the sport within the region, and that’s been resonating through this tournament.”

Brown saying the world cup has bolstered interest around the Pacific like never before.

“Without a doubt through the Pacific, there were fan zones in five or six associations outside of New Zealand. Teams, clubsides gathered or in people's homes. A lot of community footballers were inspired by what we saw at that Women’s World Cup.

“The key thing is that it was in a timezone favorable for once. When it’s in Europe, in the middle of the night, fewer people in the Pacific would watch it.

“From Tahiti to Papua New Guinea, that’s the breadth of our confederation, people were able to watch - more viewers inspiring more kids.”

The semi-finals take place today with Samoa vs Solomon Islands and New Zealand vs Fiji set to battle it out for a spot in the final.

FULL SCHEDULE: Women’s Olympic Football Tournament - Oceania Qualifier | Oceania Football Confederation