A 3-1 win for the Digicel Fiji Bula Boys football team has seen them become the runner-up of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup, after they defeated the Solomon Islands on their home turf in Honiara on Saturday.
Fiji’s campaign for a successful finish was advanced through goals scored by Gabrieli Matanisiga in the 33rd minute, Sairusi Nalaubu during the two minutes of added time after the first half and Thomas Dunn in the 56th minute of play.
The home team were able to retain its appearance through a goal made by Atkin Naua in the 79th minute of play.
In other matches, Papua New Guinea were crowned victors of the tournament after defeating Vanuatu 2-1 prior to Fiji’s match against the Solomons.
Fiji’s runner-up claim marks the end of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, which began on December 9 and ended yesterday at the Sports City, National Stadium in Honiara.
The competition fielded teams from Melanesian countries in the Pacific, such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. New Caledonia did not feature in this year’s competition.
Meanwhile, bringing together a tournament of such magnitude was the overall binding element of its theme “Uniting Melanesia through soccer”.
