Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek
Fiji have joined New Zealand from Group A in advancing to the semi-finals of the OFC Olympic Qualifier in Auckland.
Robert Sherman’s side has bounced back from Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat by the hosts to beat Papua New Guinea 2-0 at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, to finish runner up in the Group.
Fiji dominated from the outset with Thomas Dunn just failing to get on the end of a brilliant cross before skipper Etonia Dogalau headed home in the 5th minute after a cross from Nabil Begg to open the scoring. Dogalau was a persistent aerial threat with his height.
The Fijians bossed possession in the opening spell and exploited the space out wide on a picture-perfect sunny day in Auckland.
Papua New Guinea, who only arrived in the country late on Wednesday night, were sluggish to begin with and gradually grew into the game. They were always dangerous on the counterattack and Oberth Simon had a chance to level the scores after twenty minutes when he found himself in space down the left, but the Fijian defence scrambled across to shut him down.
Dogalau should have extended Fiji’s lead in the 30th minute when Dogalau was put clean through on goal by left back Mohammed Muzakkir -Nabeel but with only the advancing PNG keeper Adrian Redenut to beat, he scuffed his shot wide.
1-0 up at the break and Fiji were looking comfortable. Dogalau headed straight at the keeper from close range six minutes into the second spell as Fiji continued in the ascendency.
They doubled their lead in the 66th minute with a brilliant header from Aporosa Yada after a perfectly timed cross from Begg for his second assist.
The game become scrappy as the half wore on and PNG needing to win and desperate to score three goals pushed players forward. But they were unable to muster any meaningful shots to trouble Aydin Mustahib in the Fijian goal.
Fiji is likely to face the Solomon Islands in Wednesday’s semi-finals with the Solomon Islands expected to top Group B which concludes at Trusts Arena tomorrow.
Papua New Guina: 0
Fiji: 2 (Etonia DOGALAU 5′, Aporosa YADA 66′)
HT: 0-1