Fiji kicked off their OFC U-16 Men’s Championship campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over New Caledonia at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Melvin Prakash’s side started strongly and dominated throughout, as they laid down their credentials in Group A.
Zaman Shah gave Fiji the lead after just 13 minutes – the forward taking advantage of some slack play from New Caledonia as they tried to play out from the back, nicking possession and hammering a left-footed effort past goalkeeper Jeremy Fere from the edge of the penalty box.
Minutes later and the lead was doubled. Shah’s free-kick from the right flank was cleared as far as Rayyaan Mohammed, who’s well-hit effort hit the underside of the crossbar, only for Isoa Baselala to react quicker than anyone else to nod home from close range.
Maikeli Ratuove and Shah both went close in the final moments of the first period, forcing Fere into two good saves to ensure New Caledonia remained in the contest at the break.
New Caledonia turned to the bench, bringing on Titouan Deniaud , Jean-Christ Wea and Valdo Teanyouen as they looked to swing the momentum in their favour. Fiji remained comfortable though, without offering too much threat of adding to their first-half goals.
Chances remained at a premium, with neither side able to muster any substantial efforts on goal. Fiji especially struggled to match the impressive intensity and tempo they had displayed in the opening fourty-five minutes.
Fiji would comfortably saw out the remainder of the 90 minutes to get their tournament up and running and boost their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.
New Caledonia: 0
Fiji: 2 (Zaman SHAH 13′, Isoa BASELALA 17′)
HT: 0-2