Football

Fiji beats New Caledonia in International Friendly

March 19, 2019 5:12 am

Samuela Drudru heading his second goal against New Caledonia

The Vodafone Fiji Football side made a successful outing beating New Caledonia 3-0 in the FIFA International Friendlies at ANZ Stadium last night.

Both teams observed a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting at the two mosques in Christchurch before the game starts.

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Samuela Drudru scored a double for Fiji to put them into the lead 2-0 at the break.


The Fiji Football team [Source: Fiji Football]

Drudru scored the opening goal in the 37th minute before netting his second on the 45th minute.

New Caledonia showed some good one-two passes but was not able to capitalize into goals.


The New Caledonia Football team [Source: Fiji Football]

Canadian-based and debutant Nicholas Prasad had to be taken off the field as he suffered an injury.

Fiji showed some classic teamwork which saw Rusiate Matererega netting their third and last goal of the match in the 90th minute to seal the win.


Rusiate Matererega celebrates after scoring for Fiji

Fiji’s Football coach Christophe Gamel dedicated Fiji’s win to the families of the victims whose life was claimed in the Christchurch terror attack last Friday.

“We can develop better situations and our last touch of the ball is always wrong and we really need to perform better. The score was great and we dedicate it to all the people in Christchurch and particularly the three Fijian families who are affected by the terror attack. But as I have said, we need to perform better if we need to perform well in the Pacific Games.”

Gamel believes they could have done better, and he will be analyzing its match against New Caledonia to improve its next performance.

Fiji will then meet Mauritius in its last International Friendly on Sunday at 3pm at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

You can catch the live commentary of the match on Radio Fiji TWO.