Debut win for Fiji while PNG top Group B
 |
| Photo credit: OFC |
Coach Yogendra Dutt says the performance at the CIFA Academy, Rarotonga was something to be proud of.
“The girls were all very excited and there was a lot of anxiety there because this is the first time most of them have travelled out of the country,” Dutt says.
“We are really proud of how we did in that first game. In the second half we always planned to sit deep and make use of the ball when we won it, and we did that well.”
Losing midfielder Ngame Taringa on 12 minutes didn’t help the Cook Islands, and just 10 minutes later they found themselves 1-0 down following a floated Aliza Hussein free kick which sailed into the top of the net.
The historic first goal for Fiji at this level was followed by a second on 30 minutes after they took full advantage of a messy goalmouth scramble.
With ball deflecting off a Cook Islands player back in towards goal, striker Koleta Likuculacula struck from close range to double the lead.
The home side did create a couple of scoring chances via long-ball play, but couldn’t find the right final option.
At the other end Cook Islands keeper Dora Iripa was being given a workout, making last-ditch efforts on a number of shots to deny Fiji further goals.
The teams went into the break with Fiji holding a 2-0 advantage.
The Cook Islands started the second 45 playing a more positive style, and were able to dominate proceedings for a short period, forcing a couple of saves from Francine Lockington in goal.
A foul on 55 minutes saw Cecelia Nainima booked for Fiji, and Cook Islands given a free kick on the edge of the box.
But Tuka Tisam’s side couldn’t take advantage and four minutes later conceded a penalty which effectively crushed any hope of a comeback as Cema Nasau calmly slotted the spot kick to make it 3-0.
Encouraged by an enthusiastic home crowd the Cook Islands never gave up, shifting to three at the back for the final 15 minutes in a bid to find goals.
Piri Murare did well to get in behind the defence on a couple of occasions in the final exchanges, but Fiji would hold strong for a 3-0 win in the first Group B match of the competition.
Post-match Tisam believed his side had been found wanting in the physical aspects of the game, which contributed to the loss.
“I thought the girls played the style we expected to play. But it’s physical against Fiji, they are a pretty good side,” Tisam says.
“With their physique and the way they played I think it shocked the girls a bit. We will learn from that and get better for the next game.”
The late match – which kicked off at 7.30pm to accommodate for both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea arriving late in Rarotonga – was played under lights at the CIFA Academy and started at a blistering pace.
The game was only two minutes old when Belinda Giada chested down and sent the ball into the back of the net with a powerful shot under Vanuatu keeper Ruth Tate.
Despite Vanuatu visiting the attacking end a number of times themselves over the next few minutes, it was Papua New Guinea who found the goal once again, scoring via Anna Malara.
By half time Giada had collected her hat trick and Papua New Guinea were ahead 4-0.
A fourth for Giada two minutes into the second half propelled her to the top of the Golden Boot rankings and struck a crucial blow to Vanuatu.
Both sides dropped in intensity over the next half hour, with the ball recycling through the midfield.
A couple of quick-fire goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes to substitutes Mercedes Hapoto – who had been on the field for just two minutes – and Selina Unamba took Papua New Guinea out to an impressive 7-0 lead.
A Vanuatu penalty a minute into added time was converted by Annie Gere and at least restored some pride for Joel Rarua’s side.
Papua New Guinea coach Margaret Aka spoke of her relief at getting through the game after her squad only arrived in Rarotonga five hours prior to kick-off.
“To get this first win is exciting and I think the girls will take it to a new level from here on,” Aka says.
“I could see the girls were tired through lack of sleep and not being able to rest. I am glad to get this game out of the way.
“We always want to maintain the same level from the first to the last minute, but tonight the girls weren’t able to do that and we conceded a penalty late on.”
Rarua on the other hand lamented his team’s inability to respond to the early Papua New Guinea goal.
“We didn’t really show our best out there, but we tried hard. PNG are really a good team, we tried to stay in the game, but the result wasn’t there,” he says.
“We tried to speed up the game early to try and score some goals, but then PNG scored an unexpected goal which effected our morale.”
Match Day 3 sees a return to Group A games with New Zealand facing New Caledonia and Samoa taking on Tonga.
Source: OFC
Post a Comment