FIJI football team settled for a silver medal in the men’s football competition after ending their campaign on the second position in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu yesterday.
Fiji defeated New Caledonia 4-1 in their last match as Fiji led 1-0 through Ba striker Saula Waqa’s goal in the 44th minute.
Waqa scored his second goal of the match in the opening minute of the second half while New Caledonia pulled one back through Shane Welepane.
Fiji’s Antonio Tuivuna extended Fiji’s lead in the in the additional time before replacement Rusiate Matarerega hammered the final nail in the win.
Fiji coach Christophe Gamel said he wanted consistency and continuity in the team.
“We are progressing well with Fiji football team and I want to have consistency,” Gamel said.
“I always have to change players because at times I do not get the players.”
Fiji defeated Tuvalu 8-0 and then held Solomon Islands to a nil-all draw before drawing with Vanuatu 1-1 and then defeated Tonga 4-0.
“It depends on the players as how mentally they want to perform and how to get to higher step in future.”
Meanwhile, defender Laitia Tuilau was expelled from the match because of swearing to an assistant referee while New Caledonia player Jeremy Gare was also sent off.
