While it’s a tough loss to stomach, coach Frank Farina was incredibly pleased with the performance his side delivered on the pitch.
“We did not lose discipline and structure and that was important. It was 14 to 15 minutes before Germany got their first goal,” Farina says.
“Germany were getting possession but not hurting us. Playing Germany is a new level for my players, we knew it was always going to be difficult.”
Anyone might be forgiven for the obvious nerves that might be associated with making your debut on the world stage, but Farina says his side were suprisingly nerve-free.
“My players were not really nervous as they did not know what to expect, instead there was a lot of excitement. They have a craving for more exposure to international football – playing Germany is something they will always remember and talk about. It was a great learning curve and experience for my team.
“They gave 92 minutes of good football, there will always be some mistakes but as long as there is 100 per cent effort that’s ok.”
A rampant first-half performance, with Hany Mukhtar and Niklas Stark getting three and two respectively, saw the 1981 winners storm into an unassailable lead, though the Pacific nation’s fans did have something to cheer about when Iosefo Verevou claimed an unexpected consolation strike.
Fiji started out in a fashion that they no doubt would have been pretty content with, defending stoutly in the opening stages, though possession was all Germany’s. However, with the islanders unable to retain possession, it was little surprise when the deadlock was broken, and those first 18 minutes were not reflective of how the half would continue.
As soon as Stark had converted Marc Kampf’s header back across goal the U-19 European champions had a second, with Marc Stendera converting from the penalty spot after Mohammed Khan’s handball. Impressive footwork from Grischa Promel saw him fire in at the near post to make it three in five minutes, before Stark headed his second.
Mukhtar opened his account in fine style, curling in from the edge of the area, before he doubled his personal tally following a great burst down the left wing by Julian Brandt. With a half-a-dozen to their name, Frank Wormuth’s side were already guaranteed victory, and as a result were lulled into something of a lackadaisical rhythm. They had quite a rude awakening after the break, however.
With only pride to play for, Fiji returned emboldened and following a tortuous first 45 minutes for the Pacific fans, they were given something to cheer. A deep cross saw Verevou peel away from his napping marker, with his header back across goal giving him the title of Fiji’s first goal-scorer at a FIFA tournament.
And while the Fijians did all they could to prevent the deficit increasing, with Mukhtar denied his hat-trick thanks to a fine goal-line clearance, substitute Marvin Stefaniak pulled an effort out of the top drawer. After being on for a matter of seconds, he curled a delightful dipping shot over Misiwani Nairube to return some extra shine to the scoreline.
The goals were then rounded off with a second spot-kick, this time handed to Mukhtar so he could finally complete his treble. Germany will expect a sterner test when they face Uzbekistan, while Fiji will hope to pick up their first FIFA points against Honduras.
Germany coach Frank Wormouth says after his side leaped to a decent 6-0 lead in the first half he was suprised by Fiji’s resilience.
“In the second half we were surprised as Fiji put us under pressure and the second-half goal showed this,” he says.
“We can take from the match that there is still space to develop our game in the second half. We gained self confidence in the first half but Fiji played better and better in the second period and pressured us.”
Fiji’s next match is against Honduras on Thursday 4 June again at Christchurch Stadium.
For more on the FIFA U-20 World Cup visit FIFA.com

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