Fiji’s Under-16 football coach, Sunil Kumar, anticipates a tough challenge for his team as they prepare to meet New Zealand in the OFC U16 Championship final on Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti. Kumar acknowledges that New Zealand will be the favorites but believes an upset is still possible.
“We entered this tournament with the goal of making history,” Kumar stated. “Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and now we’ve done that. However, our aim is also to win the championship.”
With the championship title within reach, Kumar emphasizes the importance of approaching the match with a clear mindset, encouraging his players to give their all. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for the boys and the team,” he added.
On the other hand, New Zealand’s coach, Martin Bullock, feels confident after his team convincingly defeated Fiji 7-1 during the group stage. Throughout the tournament, New Zealand has demonstrated their offensive prowess, scoring 28 goals while conceding only one in four games.
“We’ve faced Fiji already, and winning that match likely positions us as favorites,” Bullock remarked. “We performed exceptionally well and will leverage insights from that previous encounter. Both teams understand how the other plays, and we will strategize to capitalize on that.”
As the final approaches, Bullock stresses that any final match, regardless of the competition level—be it club or international—demands a winning mindset. “We are eagerly anticipating the game,” he concluded.