Caption: New Zealand celebrate qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. OFC U-20 Championship, New Zealand (Junior All Whites) v Fiji, Churchill Park Lautoka Fiji, Wednesday 27th March 2013. Photo: SHANE WENZLICK.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Fiji’s only hope for qualifying in the world cup was destroyed by New Zealand when they beat the Fiji side, 4-0, at the Churchill Park in Lautoka, today.
It was a tough match between the two teams, after New Zealand missed a couple of goal attempts, with Fiji continuing to apply pressure and quality defence from goal keeper, Senirusi Bokini in the first half.
It was nil-all at halftime.
New Zealand’s Louis Fenton scored the opening goal in the first few minutes with a penalty kick, 1-0.
Cameron Howieson scored a free kick to stretch their lead, 2-0, after the Fiji side then went down to ten men after key player, Napolioni Qasevakatini coped a red card for dangerous play.
New Zealand’s Ryan Thomas scored the final goal, few minutes after Hamish Watson’s goal, to seal their victory.
New Zealand’s Head Coach, Chris Milicich said they were too good for the Fiji team.
“We’ve done this tournament really well, we had one of our strongest side today to play. We were too good for the Fiji team today,” he said.
Fiji’s head coach, Ravinesh Kumar said they had a good match against the experienced New Zealand team.
“The NZ side was a very experience team, and it has worked for them today,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the match earlier, New Caledonia thumped Papua New Guinea, 9-3.
Fiji will then meet Papua New Guinea in their last match.
Fiji’s Koli Sivoki (Left) and Rusiate Matarerega (Right) combined work to attack New Zealand’s Storm Roux. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.