MAKING their debut appearance at the FIFA under-17 World Cup, Fiji celebrated a historic moment in their footballing journey, despite suffering a 6-0 defeat to Tunisia in their opening match at the Aspire Zone in Doha.
The Junior Bula Boys kicked off the game with poise and a solid defensive strategy, with goalkeeper Melvin Prakash making crucial saves to thwart Tunisia’s attacks.
The Fijian team displayed resilience in the face of Tunisia’s early pressure and managed to hold their ground.
However, Tunisia broke the deadlock in the 30th minute through Wassim Slama, who capitalised on a counterattack down the left flank.
The North Africans doubled their lead before halftime, taking control of the game.
At the break, Tunisia held a 2-0 lead.
Despite trailing, Fiji regrouped in the second half and displayed determination, but Tunisia’s relentless attacking prowess proved too much to handle.
The North Africans added four more goals to seal their dominant victory.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Fiji showed glimpses of promise and resilience, with their defense working tirelessly against Tunisia’s onslaught.
Looking ahead, Fiji will aim to bounce back and improve their performance as they prepare to face Belgium in their next group match on Friday.
