Discipline proved to be the cornerstone of the Fiji Under-19 football team’s resounding 6-1 victory over Vanuatu in the OFC U19 Championship held in Apia, Samoa yesterday.
Fiji U19 coach Marika Rodu emphasized that no yellow cards were issued to his players during the match, a remarkable contrast to their previous games. With this victory, the team secured second place in Group A, behind the Solomon Islands, who edged Tahiti 1-0.
Looking ahead, the Fijians are anticipated to face New Zealand in the semifinal. Rodu noted the importance of recovery as they advance to the knockout stage of the tournament after three grueling 90-minute matches. He mentioned that some players might not recover in time, which makes player recovery a crucial focus.
Rodu credited discipline as a significant factor in their decisive win, acknowledging that Vanuatu presented a formidable challenge despite the lopsided scoreline. “The scoreline did not reflect how tough the game was. Vanuatu is a young, talented team that had pushed Solomon Islands and Tahiti,” he said.
Reflecting on their previous 3-0 defeat to Solomon Islands, Rodu highlighted the team’s resurgence, describing them as a strong and confident side. “There were no yellow cards shown to our players compared to the six we got in the first game,” he added.
Despite trailing Vanuatu 1-0 early in the match, Fiji U19 captain Peniasi Tirau noted the pressure they felt. “For me especially as captain, we had to score the equalizer quickly, which I managed to do. From there, we had to work extra hard and raise the momentum in this must-win match,” he said.
The semifinals are scheduled to be held next Monday.