Fiji’s U16 team, under the guidance of Head Coach Sunil Kumar, has made a remarkable achievement by qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Tahiti, exceeding expectations along the way. In a pivotal match played on Tahiti’s home ground, Veleni Rasorewa emerged as a standout player, scoring both goals in the team’s 2-1 victory.
Kumar expressed his gratitude for the overall effort displayed by the entire team, despite Rasorewa being named man of the match. He emphasized, “Everyone played their roles, from the goalkeeper to the strikers; that’s how we secured the two goals. Veleni Rasorewa may have won the individual accolade, but it truly was a team effort.”
Looking back on a previous defeat to New Zealand in the pool stages, Kumar noted how he motivated his players to approach their rivals with renewed determination. “After losing to New Zealand in the pool game, I challenged the boys to confront them again, and now we find ourselves in the final ready to refocus and take on New Zealand again,” he stated.
As the team prepares for this important match, they remain committed to building on their success and challenging New Zealand once more.