Fiji have become the first team to book their place in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in the Solomon Islands, after a commanding 5-0 victory over the Cook Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium.
The Junior Bula Boys made a dream start, opening the scoring in the 4th minute when Saula Muatini pounced on a fumble from Cook Islands goalkeeper Tearii Scheel. From there, Fiji never looked back, securing back-to-back wins and a guaranteed spot in the last four.
Muatini’s pace and power proved a constant menace for the Cook Islands defence. Fiji continued to press and doubled their lead in the 36th minute, captain Maikah Dau calmly slotting home from the penalty spot. Ryan Achari then made it 3-0 in first half injury time, latching onto a long ball and finishing with composure. To rub salt in to the Cook Islands wounds, Muatini scored his second of the match on the stroke of half-time to extend the lead to 4-0 at the break.
Fiji’s dominance carried into the second half. Achari grabbed his second in the 70th minute, finishing off a move after substitute Darshil Raj’s effort cannoned back off the post.
The Cook Islands battled bravely and came close through captain Kima Webb, who unleashed a long-range strike, but they were unable to find a way past the Fijian backline.
The result leaves Fiji top of Group A with one match remaining against Papua New Guinea on Saturday. A draw will be enough to secure first place. The Cook Islands, meanwhile, still have a slim chance of progressing but will need a big win over Tahiti, and hope Fiji defeat PNG convincingly.
FIJI 5 (Saula MUATINI 4’, 45+1, Maikah DAU 36’ pen, Ryan ACHARI 45+5, 70’)
COOK ISLANDS 0
HT 4-0