Discipline proved to be crucial for the Fiji Under-19 football team as they secured a 6-1 victory over Vanuatu in the OFC U19 Championship held in Apia, Samoa. Fiji U19 coach Marika Rodu highlighted the fact that no yellow cards were issued to his players, contributing to their success and their second-place finish in Group A behind the Solomon Islands, who won 1-0 against Tahiti.
The Fijian team is now slated to face New Zealand in the semifinals. Rodu noted that reaching the knockout stage brings its own set of challenges, particularly fatigue after three intense 90-minute matches. He emphasized the importance of player recovery, acknowledging that some may not fully recover in time.
Rodu credited discipline as a key factor in their win against a formidable Vanuatu team. Despite the 6-1 scoreline, he mentioned that the match was tough, reflecting Vanuatu’s young and talented squad that had previously challenged Solomon Islands and Tahiti.
Following a 3-0 loss to Solomon Islands, the Fiji team made a strong comeback. Rodu pointed out the improvement in discipline, with no yellow cards in this match compared to the six received in their first game.
Fiji U19 captain Peniasi Tirau shared that the team felt significant pressure when they were trailing 1-0. As captain, he stressed the importance of quickly scoring the equalizer, which he managed to do. From there, the team worked harder and increased their momentum in this crucial match.
The semifinals are scheduled for next Monday.