The Digicel Fiji Junior Bula Boys have advanced to the semi-finals of the OFC under-19 Championship after a dominant 6-1 victory over Vanuatu in Apia, Samoa yesterday.
Despite conceding an early goal to Vanuatu’s Ronn Tasarur, Fiji’s co-captain Penisoni Tirau equalized with a powerful header.
Ibraheem Afazal then scored a brilliant brace to put Fiji in the lead, with defender Sterling Vaconcellos adding another goal from a corner kick before halftime.
In the second half, Vaconcellos scored again with a well-timed header, showcasing his height advantage.
William Khan sealed the victory with Fiji’s sixth goal in the last minute of the game. Fiji’s strong performance secured them a spot in the semi-finals as runners-up in Group A.
Their victory was made even more impressive, that Solomon Islands defeated Tahiti 1-0 in the final group match, allowing Fiji to progress to the knockout stage.
The team’s exceptional teamwork and individual performances have put them in a strong position to compete for the championship title.
