The Suva Football Club has secured a spot in the finals of the Oceania Football Confederation Championship in Vanuatu, after a thrilling 4-2 win over Tahiti’s AS Pirae.
Suva FC will now face Auckland City at 3pm and will be out for redemption after losing to the same side 3-1, in their pool game.
Fiji Football chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, said Suva FC’s win was a testament to the hard yards the team has been putting in in weeks leading up to the tournament.
“They deserved the win.
“They have been put in the hard yards, and they will now reap their reward.
“However, one more task stands in their way to creating history for Fiji,” he said.
Suva FC was the first to put points on the scoreboard, slotting in two goals by the beginning of the second spell.
“I commend the players for their hard work in their game against AS Pirae.
“Even though they were down to 10-men on the field- they were able to pull through and get the result they wanted in the end.”
However, AS Pirae were quickly to reply, taking Suva FC to the wire as they equalized the score sending the match into extra time.
Despite being a man short, Suva FC was able to turn the tables around and score two more goals to seal the win.
Yusuf said having met Auckland City already in their pool match, Suva FC should be aware of what to expect from the star-studded side.
“They lost to Auckland City in their pool game 3-1.
“So now when they face them in the final, they know what to expect, and should be able to counter it.
“Suva FC has what it takes to be able to win the final, the ball is now in their court to bring the trophy home.”
Auckland City was taken to the wire in their semi-final match against Solomon’s Ifira Black Bird, winning 5-4 on penalties, after being tied 2-all after extra-time.
“So now our boys will have all the knowledge they need to know about Auckland City and should be able to make us proud.”
