The Digicel Fiji Bula Boys secured a narrow 1-0 victory over the Solomon Islands in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 26 Oceania qualifiers held at the HFC Stadium in Suva on Thursday night.
Captain Roy Krishna netted the decisive goal in the 13th minute, giving Fiji a strong start in their quest for World Cup qualification. Following the match, Krishna praised his team’s performance and recognized the Solomon Islands as formidable opponents.
“We know that playing against them is always a physical encounter, but I believe the red card shifted the dynamics of the game,” Krishna commented. He noted that had both teams been at full strength, the outcome might have been different.
The red card was issued to Aporosa Yada for a dangerous foul in the 38th minute, and it drew mixed responses from the fans in attendance. Nevertheless, Krishna emphasized that his team maintained the mindset of playing against a full squad, which he credited as a key factor in their victory.
“We defended as a united team and achieved a clean sheet, which is crucial,” he remarked. Krishna expressed excitement about the upcoming matches against New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.
He also highlighted the importance of the fans who turned out to support the team, referring to them as the “12th man” and stating their presence significantly boosted team morale. “I’m just so grateful they came out to support us, and they certainly made a difference tonight.”