The Fiji women’s hockey team achieved a remarkable victory, triumphing 9-1 over Samoa in their opening match of the Oceania Pacific Cup at the National Hockey Centre in Suva. Head coach Alison Southey expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting that a number of experienced players who had participated in the Pacific Games and the World Cup in Oman contributed to the success. Notable players included Catherine Fabiano, Divyankar Kumar, Melba Nautu, and Maxine Edwards.
“It’s always uplifting to start a tournament with a win,” Southey remarked, highlighting the team’s optimism and focus as they take the competition one game at a time. She emphasized the importance of implementing their training into the gameplay. The coach noted that the team adhered to their game plan and commended the hard work the players have committed over the past few months.
Southey also mentioned that the four-day tournament would provide an excellent opportunity to exhibit the talents of local athletes, particularly the rising stars and debutants. Both the men’s and women’s teams from Fiji have entered two squads into the tournament, aptly named Fiji and Fiji Warriors.
“There is room for improvement in our defense, and tightening that aspect will be crucial,” Southey said. With a contingent of about five to six players having previous experience at the Pacific Games and six competing at the Oman World Cup, the tournament promises to be a vital exposure experience for local talent.
The Fiji women’s team faced Tonga in their second match shortly after this report was filed. The tournament features seven countries and 16 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s brackets, culminating on Thursday.
This opening match victory sets a positive tone for the Fiji women’s hockey team in the tournament, highlighting their determination and potential as they continue to showcase their skills on an international stage.
In summary, the Fiji women’s hockey team’s strong performance could be the start of a successful tournament, fueled by both seasoned and emerging players. Their ongoing commitment to improvement and teamwork bodes well for the challenges ahead.
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