Merrill Nand emerged as the hero for the Bula Boys, securing a dramatic 3-3 draw against Papua New Guinea during their first men’s international match on home turf in Port Moresby last night.
The game kicked off brightly for Fiji, with Joseph Joe scoring just two minutes in, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot the ball home from within the penalty area. Papua New Guinea responded just before halftime, leveling the score at 1-1 when Thomas Dunn headed in a well-placed cross from Setareki Hughes, who showcased his speed on the right flank.
Despite being momentarily halted by Fiji’s comeback, the hosts reclaimed the lead in the 45th minute when Ati Kepo skillfully navigated a crowded box, lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jerome Narayan. Ending the first half 2-1 in favor of PNG, excitement built as the match progressed.
Fiji found their rhythm again in the second half, earning a penalty in the 54th minute. Captain Roy Krishna converted the opportunity successfully, tying the game at 2-2. As the last quarter unfolded, both sides fought fiercely for the win, with veteran Raymond Gunemba of PNG delivering a thunderous header deep in injury time that sent the local fans into a frenzy as it found the back of the net.
However, the Bula Boys responded rapidly, with Nand quickly positioning himself to head in a well-crafted delivery from Nabil Begg, equalizing the match in the dying seconds. With this draw, Fiji’s national team, coached by Rob Sherman, now has four points and sits second in Group A, trailing New Caledonia, who lead with six points.
This thrilling match highlighted the resilience and determination of the Fijian team, who showed their fighting spirit by coming back not once, but twice. As they continue their journey in the tournament, fans can remain hopeful that this performance will solidify their confidence moving forward and inspire even greater teamwork and strategy in upcoming matches.
Leave a comment