This Friday, the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup kicks off in Fiji. A total of eight teams will battle it out for this year’s title in what is set to be an action packed tournament.
After placing fourth in the last Women’s Nations Cup four years ago, Samoa are hoping to take it one step further this team and achieve higher grounds.
Pooled together with hosts Fiji, and powerhouse island nations Solomon Islands and Vanuatu the team are anticipating a massive challenge ahead.
It’s a challenge that head coach Juan Chang Urrea is ready to take on.
“Preparation has been good, You know the girls are ready to roll, we’ve had a lot of youth in our team and I’m sure they are ready to take on the pitch” Juan said.
“We understand it’s a tough pool and we’re going there to win it, so we’re just going to focus on the day and what we can today in order to get better tomorrow”
This week’s tournament will not be the only time Juan will be at the helm of a Women’s football team for Samoa. He will also be in charge of the Under 17 Women’s team that will be playing in the U17 World Cup later this year in Morocco.
Having qualified last year for the World Cup, it will be the first time Samoa has achieved or reached World Cup level for any age grade for football.
“It’s a moment that is extremely hard to describe, giving thanks to our supporters and mainly to the Lord. It’s been a massive piece that holds us together. It’s definitely the rock that has been guiding us in the path that we want to keep taking” Juan said about the U17 World Cup
“Seeing Samoa’s name with some of the best in the world is something that we worked hard to achieve, so we want to take it with both hands knowing that we belong there. We want to take advantage of every moment too.”
With his involvement in both the senior and U17 women’s teams, Juan has been able to bring in a bit of youth for the senior women’s side that will be participating this week in Fiji.
Two players from the Under 17 side will be part of the senior team, to not only add value to the side but also grow and gain experience for the World Cup later in Morocco.
Captain of the U17 side Breanna Kitiona is one of two players joining the senior team ahead of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup this week.
Breanna will be looking to add her style of play to the side.
“I’m really excited to grow with a new team, learn and just grow as an individual player, and see how I can grow as a player in the higher levels. You just got to do the simple things you know to the best of your ability and just play how you know” she said.
When asked about teaming up once again with Juan as her coach, she said that it is beneficial for her growth as a football player.
“It’s great, I’ve been growing with him since I started playing for Samoa and I know what he expects. It’s good to grow with the same coach for youth level right till national level”
With two tasks in front of him now, Juan is setting his eyes first in Fiji.
“Everyone is key to this puzzle, but it’s pretty exciting to have two of our under 17 girls with us. It’s amazing to see the growth the country and federation has had with the last couple of years” he said.
“To have those two young girls here is pretty exciting for the country, and will be exciting for everyone to watch them play”
Samoa kick off their OFC Women’s Nations Cup campaign against PNG this Friday at Churchill Park in Lautoka 3:00pm Fiji time.
