New Caledonia – Fiji Match Summary click here
Both sides had disappointing days yesterday – Fiji being denied a passage to the semi-finals by New Zealand’s victory over Vanuatu and New Caledonia drawing their must-win clash with Tahiti to also miss out.
This afternoon’s match offered the chance to regain some pride and it was Fiji who took that opportunity first, going ahead in the third minute through Ratu Dugucagi.
Further goals to Eran Underwood, who struck twice, and Kamal Hassan took their tally to four while New Caledonia replied through Romain Guitton and Ismael Tchovanili, who also hit a first-half double, to make the score 4-3 to Fiji at the break.
Although both teams had missed out on their primary goal of making the semi-finals, they were showing plenty of determination to win this match and the scoreline swayed back and forth in a thrilling second half.
Tchovanili and Dugucagi both completed hat-tricks for their sides – Dugucagi even adding one more for good measure – while Guitton scored again for New Caledonia. Ivann Waishitine and Hussein Sahib were also on target for New Caledonia and Fiji respectively as the hosts narrowly took the win to finish their campaign on a high.
Quotes
New Caledonia coach Eric Michalak:
I was quite surprised that Fiji were in such good condition because they had to play very hard yesterday. I thought they would be tired today but they didn’t seem to be. We played quite well but we gave away too many goals to them. We made a lot of individual errors and paid for them.
Fiji coach Intiaz Khan:
We have competed well in this tournament and have not been outclassed by any other team. We need to progress from here and see what we can do at the championship next year. I hope there will be big plans in place but we will see what happens. I would say to Solomon Islands that they should be prepared because I think all the other teams are improving and this could be the last tournament in which they qualify for the World Cup for a while. If we start preparing now we have a chance of making the next World Cup as we have a long time to get ready.