Discipline proved crucial for the Fiji Under-19 football team’s 6-1 victory over Vanuatu in the OFC U19 Championship held in Apia, Samoa. Fiji U19 coach Marika Rodu emphasized the importance of discipline, noting that no yellow cards were issued to his players during the match, allowing them to secure second place in Group A behind the Solomon Islands, who defeated Tahiti 1-0.
The Fijians are now set to face New Zealand in the semifinals. Rodu acknowledged the challenging nature of the knockout stage, highlighting player fatigue after three 90-minute matches. “Recovery is critical, and some players may not recover in time,” he stated.
Rodu also credited discipline as a significant factor in their win, emphasizing that Vanuatu posed a substantial challenge despite the scoreline. “Vanuatu is a young, talented team that pushed the Solomon Islands and Tahiti hard,” he noted.
Following their 3-0 loss to the Solomon Islands, Fiji came back as a stronger and more confident team. “We had no yellow cards in this game compared to the six in our first match,” Rodu remarked.
The Fiji U19 team initially trailed Vanuatu 1-0. Fiji U19 captain Peniasi Tirau described the pressure they felt when behind in the match. “As captain, it was crucial to score the equalizer quickly, which I managed to do. From there, we had to work harder and increase the momentum in this must-win match,” Tirau said.
The semifinals are scheduled for next Monday.