THE Fiji U23 football side’s ambition of winning the Pacific Games gold medal was shattered as they went down 2-1 to New Caledonia in the semi-final at the Bisini Soccer Fields yesterday.
Fiji did not look like the same side that played against Vanuatu when they won the Olympic qualifier on Sunday night.
From the first whistle, New Caledonia started to control the game. They kept the ball on the ground and found gaps in the Fiji defence.
It took New Caledonia five minutes to take the lead.
Fiji then increased their tempo but there was nothing constructive. As usual two or three passes and an overhead long ball was launched to find strikers with the hope they control it.
Fiji equalised in the 32nd minute after a barrage of attempts, the ball fell in Napolioni Qasevakatini’s path, who shot it in.
The New Caledonians who were attacking found the goal again.
In the second half New Caledonia was the dominant side and the match ended with 2-1 margin. Captain Jale Dreloa was sent off in the 78th minute for his second yellow card offence.
The Fiji team is not a hundred per cent. Some players have had a stomach bug and even played the game like that.
Coach Carlos Buzzetti said Fiji had played extra games compared with New Caledonia.
Fiji will now face Papua New Guinea in the bronze medal play-offs.
* Pacific Games coverage courtesy of BSP