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 this Sunday in Pape’ete, Tahiti. Kumar recognizes that New Zealand is the favorite but remains hopeful that Fiji can pull off an upset.
“When we entered this tournament, our goal was to make history,” Kumar expressed. “Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and we managed to achieve that. However, we also aimed to win the championship.”
With aspirations high, Kumar stated, “We now have a dream to pursue. Heading into the match, our approach is to play with a clear mind, aiming to give our best. This is an unparalleled opportunity for the boys and the team.”
On the other hand, New Zealand, managed by Martin Bullock, is seen as the strong favorite after previously defeating Fiji 7-1 in group play, boasting an impressive record of 28 goals scored and only one conceded across four matches.
“We’ve already played against Fiji and won, which likely positions us as favorites,” Bullock noted. “Our performance was exceptional, and we’ll draw on our previous match to prepare. While they know our tactics, we’ll strategize on how to capitalize on that while sticking to our game plan. Regardless of the competition, reaching a final is about winning, and we are eager for the match.”