Fiji Bows Out Of Plate Final

The Fiji futsal team lost 4-3 to Vanuatu in the plate final of the Oceania Football Confed­eration (OFC) Futsal Cup 2022 at the Vodafone Arena yesterday.

It was a strong start for the Men In White as Surjason Sami slotted in the opener.

Vanuatu replied through Athanas Al­ick as they tied at 1-1 at half time.

Fiji added another two goals in the second spell by Shahil Dave and Cap­tain Filipe Baravilala while Vanuatu’s Rhydley Napau scored a double plus Bill Tamuri’s goal to earn them the win.

Fiji head coach, Jerry Sam said: “While it was a good game, these boys need to be prepared mentally and physically."

“We put this team together in five weeks, this week was our sixth; it’s good to see they have learnt so much in that five weeks of preparation and delivering it on game day."

“We had our chances but we did not utilise them, if you have your chances you have to score, if not then whoev­er utilizes their chances will win the game.”

Fiji fielded two teams; Fiji Football Association’s President’s Five and the Digicel Bula futsal teams.

The Fiji FA President’s Five lost 5-3 in the Cup playoff against New Caledo­nia.

They finished 4th.

Futsal is a five-a-side football-based game played on a hard court smaller than a football pitch, and mainly in­door.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj