Discipline was the driving force behind the Fiji Under-19 football team’s impressive 6-1 victory over Vanuatu in the OFC U19 Championship held in Apia, Samoa, yesterday.
Fiji U19 coach Marika Rodu emphasized the significant role discipline played as his team received no yellow cards during the match. The team finished second in Group A, trailing behind the Solomon Islands, who secured a 1-0 win against Tahiti.
Looking ahead, the Fijian squad is gearing up to face New Zealand in the semifinals. Rodu noted that the tournament has now reached the knockout stage, bringing with it the challenge of fatigue after playing three 90-minute matches. He highlighted the importance of player recovery, acknowledging that some players might not be able to recover in time for the crucial upcoming matches.
Rodu pointed out that despite the 6-1 scoreline, Vanuatu proved to be formidable opponents. He underlined the strength of Vanuatu’s young and talented team, which had previously pushed both Solomon Islands and Tahiti to their limits.
Reflecting on their journey, Rodu mentioned that after a 3-0 loss to the Solomon Islands, the Fiji team bounced back with renewed strength and confidence. Notably, they avoided any yellow cards in the match against Vanuatu, a significant improvement from the six they received in their first game.
The Fiji U19 team initially trailed Vanuatu 1-0 in the early stages of the match. Captain Peniasi Tirau shared that the team felt immense pressure when they were behind, particularly from his perspective as captain. He managed to score the equalizer quickly, which lifted the team’s momentum and determination in the must-win game.
The semifinals are set to take place next Monday.