Fiji’s Under-16 football coach, Sunil Kumar, acknowledges the challenge ahead as his team prepares to face New Zealand in the OFC U16 Championship final on Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti. Kumar recognizes that New Zealand will likely be the favorite, but he remains hopeful about Fiji’s prospects for an upset.
“We came into this tournament with the aim of making history,” Kumar said. “Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and we achieved that, but our goal now is to win the championship.”
He added, “We have a dream to fulfill. Heading into this match, we want to play freely and give our best effort. This is a significant opportunity for the boys and the team.”
New Zealand, coached by Martin Bullock, has been strong contenders, having previously defeated Fiji 7-1 in the group stage. They have scored 28 goals while conceding only one throughout four matches.
“We have faced Fiji before and won, which positions us as the favorites,” Bullock stated. “We performed exceptionally well in that game and learned valuable lessons that we will apply in the final. They may also have insights into our playstyle. Ultimately, in any final—be it club or international football—our goal is to win, and we are eager for the match.”