The Junior Fijian Tribe made an impressive start during the 2017 Oceania Cup at Albert Park in Suva, yesterday.

Fiji, Vanuatu Nauru and All Stars will compete in the AFL Under-15 competition which started yesterday and ends on Friday.

The Tribe won the 2017 Lightning Cup in a warm up match against Vanuatu 20-12 and in the first pool game 27-25. In the second pool game the hosts thrashed All Stars 39-0.

Coach Alipate Savai said despite their impressive start the side needs to improve on some areas to qualify for the final.

“The win is a great start for Fiji,” Savai said.

“I am pleased with the performance as they managed to beat Vanuatu twice.

“However, I feel they had a slow start and Vanuatu had analyzed our game from the previous warm up match.

“We need to communicate better, kicking to target not giving away penalties.”

Savai said defending champions Nauru will be the team to beat in the Oceania Cup competition.

“We are aware of the fact that the team to beat would be defending champions Nauru.

“The Junior Fijian Tribe is looking forward to take play against Nauru before they take a break on Thursday,” he added.

“It is a must win for us as it will determine our qualification to the final on Friday.

“Unfortunately, Solomon Islands and Tonga missed out on the Oceania Cup competition this year due to financial difficulties.

“Previously, we have won the Oceania Cup twice in 2012 and 2014 and as hosts we will try our best to win the cup this year.”

Edited by  Osea  Bola

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