Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti has placed plenty of emphasis on his desire to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and today was another step towards that goal for his side.
A goal in the first five minutes was certainly one way of proving they’re not here to much around, with a swift counter attack leaving a bewildered Papua New Guinea defence exposed to the on target finishing of Napolioni Qasevakatini.
Papua New Guinea responded well, with a chance for Patrick Aisa followed up by a low drive from Tommy Semmy who rattled the side net. Ten minutes in, Alwin Komolong was brought down in the box by Sakaria Naisua who was cautioned for the challenge. Semmy stepped up to shoulder the responsibility and smashed the ball past Tevita Koroi for the equaliser.
Overall the match was incredibly fraught with Papua New Guinea keen to continue their historic run to the final. They had numerous chances but perhaps let the occasion get to them as simple mistakes kept finding their way into their game. While the side were working over-time to shut down the constant threat from Fiji, eventually something had to give. In first half additional time Charles Lepani raced out to close down an advance from Qasevakatini, but it was an over-commitment from the keeper as the Fijian striker went around him to hand his side back the lead.
It only got worse for Papua New Guinea in the second half as Qasevakatini fired in for his hat-trick in the 54th minute. The hosts continued to press and push for the goals they so desperately needed but with a comfortable lead Fiji closed ranks at the back denying them time and again.
Probably the only flaw in Buzzetti’s plan was the sending off of Sakaria Naisua late in the second half after picking up a second yellow card for time-wasting in additional time.
Buzzetti says it was by no means an easy game against the home side.
“They were pumped, they have a very good coach in Ricki and we knew they were going to be difficult. But at the same time we know our strengths and we said if we play today as we did against Tahiti we have a chance,” he says.
“They were very good defensively, we changed the tactics again and that paid off. We are not happy yet, but we are satisfied that we are through to the next round.”
The disappointment at not being able to deliver in front of their fans was etched on the Papua New Guinea players’ faces, and Ricki Herbert says it has very much been a learning curve for his side.
“It’s semi-finals and that can change the mind-set a little bit and I think for our boys it was something brand new for them. I thought we started so well, the first six or seven minutes I thought we had so many opportunities and maybe on any other day the game could have been killed off,” Herbert says.
“It was awesome to have the crowd, we probably got double the crowd that we’ve had in the past and we’ve let them down. This is a good group of boys, there’s a lot of unfinished business and a gold medal to win.”
In a rematch of the 2012 semi-final of the same competition, New Zealand had to get past Vanuatu to progress to the final. They’d eased through the group stage without conceding a goal and were looking to do the same in the semi-final. They opened hard and fast, with several decent chances presenting themselves in the first 25 minutes. Vanuatu started pressing further and further forward and had opportunities of their own, but for both sides the keepers were doing their job and preventing anything from getting past.
As the second half got underway, Vanuatu got caught unawares as the Kiwis opened their account off a corner just three minutes after the restart, with Monty Patterson taking the honours with a tidy tap past Seloni Iaruel. The second goal, less than 10 minutes later, was from another set piece, this time it was Bill Tuiloma finding the back of the net.
Richard Iwai tried to bring a few different things into the match, bringing on Jean Kaltack and later Dalong Damalip, but despite the side’s performance they couldn’t pull themselves back and had to settle with another semi-final exit in this competition.
Iwai says it was a great game, especially in the first half.
“We did well in the first half but in the second half we just lost concentration and conceded the two goals. We told the players to try not to concede free kicks or corners because we know New Zealand is strong on those.
“The pressure for the game, I think they forgot to listen to us. It’s been a good experience for this young side and it’s good for the future.
New Zealand goalkeeper coach Paul Gothard says after a first half which saw Vanuatu threaten several times, the side had to roll up their sleeves in order to get the necessary result.
“We had quite a tough first half where Vanuatu threw absolutely everything at us,” Gothard says.
“But the boys stuck to their task and got two very good goals off of set pieces and as a squad together that’s five games now unbeaten and no goals against. So the teams are really confident and looking forward to the final on Sunday.”
The OFC Olympic Qualifier Final will be held at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea between Fiji and New Zealand with kick-off scheduled for 6pm.

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