Cook Islands suffered a major setback after going down to a dominant Samoa 0-10 in their first OFC U-16 Women’s Championship match in Fiji over the weekend.

Before the tournament, Samoa head coach Juan Chang tried to downplay his side’s chances in the tournament pointing to their status of having been the last team to qualify.

Clearly that wasn’t the message he delivered to his charges before kick off, as Samoa took the lead in the third minute as Kealia Nansen coolly finished a cross coming in from the right flank.

Five minutes later Jayde Sagapolutele got the first of her brace, and then in the 14th minute she had her second.

Holly Leapai’s 18th minute goal saw the number nine neatly curl her shot past Moerai Ngametua after creating space for herself in the penalty area.

Nansen doubled her tally in the 22nd minute with a neat finish, and Ayres Ava got on the scoresheet twelve minutes later when she converted a Samoa corner with a pinpoint header.

Nansen started the second half much as she did the first, completing her hat trick in the 48th minute. She then turned provider minutes later, teeing up Leapai for her second of the game with a well-placed cross, and the number nine made no mistake directing her header past Ngametua.

The first Cook Islands attempt on goal came via a corner in the 55th minute. Captain Metamua Arere, who spent most of the game at the heart of Cook Islands defence, swept in a good cross, but the Samoan defence comfortably dealt with the danger.

Samoa captain Lynn Aiono Sagiao got on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute, driving home from a narrow angle, and then got her second in the 81st with a finish from close range. Samoa now having surely put the rest of the competition on notice.

Cook Islands will face Fiji on September 11 and Tonga on September 14.

The national team is guided by head coach Tupou Brogan, who also led the previous U16 squad in Tahiti.

According to a statement from Cook Islands Football Association, coach Brogan has been at the helm of an intensive training regimen over the past five months, focusing on skill development, team cohesion, and tactical strategies. Many players on this squad also participated in the recent OFC U15 Girls Development tournament in Fiji, bringing valuable experience to the team.

“Our preparations have been thorough, and the players have shown remarkable dedication,” Brogan stated last week. “We know the games ahead will be challenging, but we are ready to represent our country, our families, and our communities with pride and give it our all on the field.”

• OFC Media/CIFA Media

Cook Islands Squad and Management: Players: Vahine Uini, Moerai Ngametua, Athena Napa-Nicholas, Teniva-O-Te-Ra Tauu, Tehanarei Maine Teaka, Mamia Piri-Savage, Peia Tatuava, Cynthia Pitomaki, Hono-Kura Miria, Darlene Kureta, Ngamaanga Taripo, Metuamaru Arere, Kivana Arere, Tilati Ataela, Klaasje Nia, Vaihere Mitchell, Tauariki Nia, Tangi Tangipiri, and Tashi Kopu. Management: Tupou Brogan – Head Coach, Claudean Robati – Assistant Coach, Ani-Tia Piri – Manager, Uamaki Savage – Assistant Coach, Tyson Tekeu – Goalkeeper Coach, and Vilimaina Tuivaga – Physio.