Fiji has moved forward to the semifinals of the HSBC Dubai 7s after a thrilling last-minute victory against France, with a final score of 19-17. The match was intensely contested, seeing Fiji’s captain Jeremaia Matana sidelined early on due to a head injury.
France initially took control of the match, with Liam Delamare scoring a try within the first five minutes, although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Fiji quickly responded, with Kavekini Tanivanuakula scoring to level the game just a minute later. A successful conversion by Filipe Sauturaga shifted the momentum in Fiji’s favor.
As the first half concluded, Fiji extended their lead further with a try from Sauturaga, who successfully converted, bringing the halftime score to 14-5.
The second half began equally as intense, with Fiji determined to maintain their advantage. However, a yellow card for Tanivanuakula put Fiji at a disadvantage. France seized this opportunity to tighten the score, with Jordan Sepho scoring a try, converted by Paulin Riva, bringing the score to 14-12.
Fiji’s discipline was tested as France found gaps to score again, taking a brief lead. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Vuiviwa Naduvalo surged towards the end of the match to score and secure Fiji’s win.
This nail-biting match underscores Fiji’s resilience and ability to compete under pressure, making their advance to the semifinals a testament to their tenacity in the face of challenges. Fans are hopeful that Fiji will continue to build on this momentum as they progress in the tournament, demonstrating their skill and determination on the international stage.
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