Slow start

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Slow start

A 10-man Fiji U23 side managed a 1-1 draw with Vanuatu in their opening game of the football competition at the Bisini Soccer Fields in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

It was the first outing for the Olympians side in the Pacific Games and coach Carlos Buzzetti was happy with the outcome.

Fiji started the game with Rusiate Matererega and Saula Waqa in the strike force and could have gone ahead in the first 15 minutes but luck was not on their side.

It was Vanuatu who took the lead. Neat and small passes from the midfield found danger man Jean Kaltackm who had no problem scoring in the 25th minute of the game.

From there on, Vanuatu seemed to have more confidence as they played with more possession and authority.

Kaltack was subbed off after injuring himself.

The teams went into the break with Vanuatu leading 1-0.

The second half started just as the first had ended with Vanuatu in control but 10 minutes into the half, Buzzetti took Waqa and Matererega out and replaced them with Nickel Chand and Iosefo Verevou.

The two injected the much needed fuel needed in the Fiji team as the pace picked up. It did not take long for Fiji to equalise.

In the 20th minute Verevou lobbed the ball over the Vanutau defence for Chand to run on and as he has done in the past, tapped the ball past the rushing Vanuatu goalkeeper.

Fiji’s fate then changed again as defender Kolinio Sivoki was given the marching orders. He was yellow-carded but could not hold on to his comments to the referee who had no hesitation in flicking another yellow and the red.

Fiji settled their defence and had good opportunities but were caught offside most times.

Buzzetti said he was happy with the start the boys had and looked to build from here.

“It was a tough game and we were lucky to hold on after we were reduced to 10-men. I am very happy with the way the boys have defended,” he said.

“I started with Waqa and Matererega because I want to see which combinations would be best for the team. Looking forward, I am hoping that Sivoki has only a match suspension but I heard the referee say it could be more.”

Fiji faces Federated States of Micronesia next and this game should allow Buzzetti to give the reserves bench a game. FSM were earlier pulverised 26-0 by Tahiti.