The Digicel Fiji Bula Boys got off to a good start in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup campaign with an emphatic win yesterday in Suva.
The men’s national football side handed Papua New Guinea a 5-1 defeat in their opening Group B match at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay.
The win against PNG is the first win for the national team against the oppoenent in 13 years.
The last time they beat PNG was in 2011 when we beat them 2-nil in an international friendly.
Fiji got off to a flying start with Nabil Begg netting a spectacular goal in just the first minute of play.
He finished off a through ball by Navua star and player of the match Thomas Dunn to put the home side in an early 1-0 lead.
For 12 minutes PNG pressured Fiji in their danger zone in search of an equaliser and testing their defense.
29-year-old Tommy Semmy was a constant threat to goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanai along with Emmanuel Simon.
However, their attempts went begging leaving coach Warren Moon a frustrated man.
Fiji had their fair share of opportunities in the latter stages of the first spell but Tevita Waranivalu, Setareki Hughes, Begg and Scott Wara couldn’t find the back of the net.
Like a hunter in search of food, the Bula Boys kept at it with decisive passes and smart plays which eventually paid off two minutes before halftime.
Begg worked the left flanks well drawing in the PNG defenders before releasing for 21-year-old Thomas Dunn who finished it off in style.
Fiji led 2-0 at the break.
“Hats off the boys for putting in the team effort, it’s not just me but the boys as well. Credit to them for the passes and assist,” said the Toguru in Navua lad.
The home crowd had a lot to talk about in the second spell as captain Roy Krishna showed his class in tight spaces, setting up Dunn for his second goal in the 52nd minute.
“I think the boys played really well. We now forget this result and work on the next one, work on our mistakes and come back better in the next game,” added Dunn who shared maternal links to Wainimakutu in Namosi.
Krishna was at it again just two minutes later, combining well with Rewa veteran Hughes who took a direct shot at goal beating goalkeeper Ronald Warisan.
The Bula Boys had breathing space from then onwards as hardworking captain Krishna hammered the nail in the coffin in the 63rd minute for Fiji’s fifth goal.
Sammy pulled one back for PNG in the dying stages of the match but any hopes of a comeback came a little too late.
Fiji will face Samoa in its next pool match at 7pm on Wednesday at the HFC Bank Stadium.
