Fiji’s Under-16 football coach, Sunil Kumar, acknowledges the challenging task ahead as they prepare to face New Zealand in the OFC U16 Championship final on Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti. Kumar understands that New Zealand is the favorite in this matchup, but he believes there is potential for an upset.
As the team entered the tournament, they aimed to make history, with Fiji having never qualified for the FIFA World Cup before. Kumar expressed his ambitions for the championship, emphasizing their desire to win. “Now we have a dream in front of us to achieve. I think going into the match, playing with a free mind. We want to give our best shot. There can never be a better or bigger opportunity than this for the boys and for the team,” he stated.
On the other hand, Martin Bullock’s New Zealand team is seen as a strong contender after defeating Fiji 7-1 in group play. New Zealand has impressive statistics, scoring 28 goals and conceding just one in four matches. Bullock noted, “We have played Fiji. We obviously won that game. It probably makes us favorites. I think we performed incredibly well.” He added that both teams are aware of each other’s playing styles and strategies as they prepare for the final, expressing eagerness for the match ahead. “If you are in a tournament and you get to a final, you want to win. We are looking forward to the game,” he remarked.