The Digicel Bula Boys made an impressive start in Qatar after a 3-nil win over Vanuatu in a friendly match yesterday.
With the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to begin in seven days time, this is the perfect platform for coach Flemming Serritslev and his brigade.
Lautoka marksman Sairusi Nalaubu gave the Fijians the lead 30 minutes into the match as they led by a goal at halftime.
Nalaubu used his pace to add two more goals in Fiji’s first taste of international football in more than two years.
Serritslev said the result really didn’t matter but the performance of his team did impress him. .
“The result really didn’t matter but I’m happy the way they played. Whatever we practised in training in the last two years it really came through so I’m satisfied,” he said.
The former Denmark international said it was good to see that the players execute what they were taught at training.
“I really feel they played this game the way we want to play. It was a fast paced game as we are playing fast and hard passes on the ground, the movement of players amongst each other, it all came into act tonight.”
The national mentor was a little concerned with the shaky start but was confident his team will be able to iron it out in the coming week.
“In the beginning we started a little bit nervous and in my opinion too many bad passes, but after 15 minutes I just hoped we could have had more early crosses in front on the goal where we have fast attackers upfront.”
Fiji plays New Caledonia in its opening match at 5am next Saturday.
Fiji’s second match will be against tournament favourites New Zealand on March 22 before facing Papua New Guinea in its last pool match on March 25.
