Fiji’s Under-16 football coach Sunil Kumar acknowledged the challenges his team will face when they go up against New Zealand in the OFC U16 Championship final on Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti. Kumar recognized New Zealand as the clear favorites but remains hopeful that his team can deliver an upset.
“We came to this tournament aiming to create history,” he stated. “Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and we have managed to create that opportunity, but we also aspire to win the championship.”
He emphasized the importance of approaching the match with a positive mindset, stating, “This is the best chance for the boys and the team to give it their all.”
New Zealand, coached by Martin Bullock, enters the match as the strong favorite, having previously defeated Fiji 7-1 in the group stage. Their impressive record includes scoring 28 goals while conceding only one across four matches.
“We have faced Fiji and won decisively, which contributes to our status as favorites,” Bullock commented. “Our performance has been exceptional, and we aim to build on our prior encounter. We know how they play, and they likely understand our style as well. As we prepare for the final, our focus is on winning, regardless of the competition. We are looking forward to this match.”