Taina Basiyalo 
[Source: Fiji Football Association/Facebook]
Fiji Footballs Under 17 women’s futsal side suffered a tough start to their Youth Olympic Games campaign, going down 8-1 to hosts Senegal in their opening Group A match in Dakar this morning.
Playing in front of the home crowd at Complexe Iba Mar Diop, Fiji found the going difficult against a Senegalese side that made full use of home advantage to take control of the contest.
Senegal led 4-1 at half-time before adding four more goals after the break to seal a convincing victory.
Akanisi Katonitabua scored Fiji’s only goal in the first half, with Kinisimere Botesulu providing the assist, giving the Fijian side something to build on despite the challenging encounter.
The result leaves Fiji with work to do in Group A as they turn their attention to their next assignment against Ukraine on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine opened its campaign with a 5-4 extra-time victory over Venezuela in the other Group A match.
Fiji will face Ukraine at 3.30am on Wednesday as they look to bounce back and get their campaign back on track.
