THE Fiji Football women’s team has topped Group B after putting in another impressive performance at the Prime Minister’s MSG Cup yesterday.
The Fiji Kulas defeated the Solomon Islands 2-0 at the PNG Football Stadium yesterday, securing their second win of the tournament as they go top with six points on their group standings.
This win came off a strong 2-1 victory against the Papua New Guinea Reds in their opening match last weekend.
Adi Litia Bakaniceva opened the scoring for the national women’s team, showing experience and cool as she went one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper, sending the ball in the opposite direction and into the net in the 4th minute.
Fiji survived the Solomon Islands’ relentless counterattacks and defended well under the scorching PNG heat to keep the scoreline at 1-0 at halftime.
Whatever head coach Angeline Chua said at the break quickly worked, as Kulas veteran Cema Nasau netted their second goal just five minutes into the second half.
A couple of nice touches from Fiji’s Narieta Leba and Bakaniceva at the edge of the 18-yard box, drew the Solomon Islands defenders in, giving way for Nasau to creep in and seal the win.
Madeline Arukau ignited the Solomon Islands’ hope in the 88th minute of play when she curled in their first goal from a free kick after she was fouled close to the box by Nasau.
Arukau continued to threaten Fiji’s defence in the dying minutes of the match, showing renewed energy and mental edge while exposing the tired legs in the white jersey. However, her efforts came a little too late as time wasn’t on her side and Fiji holding on to win the match.
“We had a plan and the players executed the plan in difficult conditions under this hot weather and coming out with a positive result,” Fiji coach Angeline Chua said.
The Kulas return to the field on Wednesday.
