The Fiji Under-19 football team secured a spot in the semifinal of the OFC U19 Championship in Apia, Samoa, yesterday. Coached by Marika Rodu, the team rebounded from a 3-0 loss to the Solomon Islands with a dominant 6-1 victory over Vanuatu.
Vanuatu opened the scoring just four minutes into the game when Ronn Tasarur capitalized on a long ball, driving into the box and setting up Glen Maki to score from close range. However, Fiji quickly equalized through co-captain Penisoni Tirau, who headed in a free kick taken by Ibraheem Afazal.
Building momentum, the 2022 finalists took the lead 12 minutes later. Eparama Moraica’s strong run into the box allowed him to pass to Afazal, who scored into an empty net. Later, Tirau’s impressive run down the field nearly resulted in another goal, but Moraica’s shot was cleared off the line by Jean Patriano Natou.
Afazal struck again with a powerful long-range shot to make it 3-1. Minutes before halftime, Afazal’s corner kick found Sterling Vasconcellos, who scored with a header. Vanuatu’s attempts to get back into the game left them vulnerable at the back, and Fiji exploited this during set pieces. Another in-swinging corner found Vasconcellos, who headed in from close range.
The final goal came from William Khan, who converted a corner with a header in the dying moments of the match, marking his first goal for Fiji. Although Vanuatu fought hard, they could not manage another goal.
This result places Fiji at the top of Group A with six points. The outcome of the Tahiti vs. Solomon Islands match will determine whether Fiji qualifies first or second in the group. Vanuatu, having suffered three defeats, will compete in the playoff for seventh place on Tuesday.
Scorers:
Vanuatu: 1 (Glen Maki 4’)
Fiji: 6 (Penisoni Tirau 13’, Ibraheem Afazal 25’, 29’, Sterling Vasconcellos 35’, 61’; William Khan 90+5’)
Halftime: Vanuatu 1-4 Fiji