Fiji’s Under-16 football coach, Sunil Kumar, acknowledges the challenging task his team faces against New Zealand in the OFC U16 Championship final set to take place on Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti.
Kumar recognizes that New Zealand will enter the match as the favorites but believes there is a chance for an upset. “When we came to this tournament, our goal was to create history,” he stated. “Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup; we have achieved that. However, we also aimed to win the championship.”
He emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, expressing that his team will approach it with a positive mindset. “We want to give it our best shot. This is an incredible opportunity for the boys and the team.”
New Zealand, led by Martin Bullock, is a strong contender after previously defeating Fiji 7-1 in the group stage. The team has demonstrated impressive performance, scoring 28 goals while conceding just one in four matches.
Bullock noted, “Having played Fiji and won that game, it likely positions us as favorites. Our performance was strong, and we’ve learned from that match. We understand how they will play, and they know how we will approach this game. In any final, whether in club or international football, the goal is to win. We are eager for the match ahead.”