Fiji U16 football coach Sunil Kumar says his side showed “true character and the Tabu Soro spirit” after defeating Papua New Guinea 1-0 in the third-place playoff of the OFC U16 Championship in Honiara on Saturday to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup 2026.
Speaking to this newspaper from the Solomon Islands, Kumar said the win was a proud moment not only for the players but for their families and the nation.
“It was a tough one but I’m so proud of the boys for their great performance. We knew PNG would come out firing, so I told the boys they would have to handle the pressure and manage the game. I reminded them to play for Fiji and their families,” Kumar said.
The decisive goal came from Ryan Achari in the first half, but the match was far from straightforward. PNG pressed relentlessly, especially in the second half, but Fiji’s backline led by Koopah Singh and goalkeeper Kirikiti Biu stood strong under pressure.
For Kumar, the response from his players was particularly special given their disappointment in the semi-final.
“It was hard after the penalty loss in the semi-final, but I told the boys this was their chance to show real character and true Tabu Soro attitude. They did exactly that,” Kumar added.
The qualification marks back-to-back FIFA U-17 World Cup appearances for Fiji, something Kumar described as a “dream come true.”
“To qualify again for the World Cup is a dream come true. These boys have written their own chapter in Fijian football history,” he concluded.
Fiji will now turn their attention to preparations for the 2026 tournament in Qatar, with this young side already proving they can deliver under pressure and carry the hopes of a footballing nation.