The Digicel Fiji Baby Bula Boys put forth a strong performance in the final of the OFC Men’s U-16 Championship but ultimately finished as runners-up, taking home the silver medal. Fiji faced New Zealand at Stade Pater Stadium in Pirae, Tahiti, where they lost 1-3.
This second-place finish marks Fiji’s first appearance in the final of this championship in 25 years, with their last appearance dating back to 1999. The final match was filled with excitement, especially in the second half, which saw both teams reduced to ten players after red cards were issued to Fiji’s Veleni Rasorewa and New Zealand’s Nathan Martin.
Nathan Martin opened the scoring for New Zealand, but Fiji’s Farhaan Khan equalized with a long-range free-kick, leaving the score tied at 1-1 at halftime. In the second half, New Zealand pulled ahead with two goals from Luke Brooke-Smith and Justin Cardozo.
Both teams have secured their spots in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup set to take place in Qatar next year.