Day 5, Suva saw both Fiji teams defending their top positions in the pools.
Fiji Men cemented their top position in World League as well as in Oceania Pacific Cup. Leaving Vanuatu no chance the tournament hosts took away a 17-2 victory. This result was the highest margin in Men’s competition this year so far.
Fiji’s men of the match were Leevan Dutta scoring 7 goals and Adrian Smith scoring 6 goals. Adrian Smith said they weren’t really satisfied with the match. “It wasn’t convincing. We could’ve done better but we’re happy with the win. We will try to win the Oceania Pacific Cup but it’s our first goal to qualify for the World League Round 2.”
In a Trans-Tasman decider, Australia Country Men were able to defeat New Zealand Maori, 7-4, to keep their OPC gold medal prospects alive.
“We still had belief in ourselves, we can still do this,” was the message David Koosaf, the Maori’s coach gave at half time. “It was very disappointing. We were competing and playing well but we were letting in soft goals at the other end,” said Koosaf.
Fiji Women remain unbeaten in this competition. In Wednesday’s top match the host nation celebrated a 3-1 win after penalties against Australia Country.
“It was the first time for us to do the 8 seconds. My coach told me I should believe in myself and do it for my country,” Mudunatagi said.
Australia’s Rosser was disappointed. “The game is always unpredictable when you’re playing really good players, it can always tip either way. Yea, we had our moments but we couldn’t score. It’s a shame to come down to the shootout at the end but that’s the way the game goes. You win some, lose some, it makes you stronger.”
Samoa went down 6-0 to Australia Country.
Papua New Guinea Women celebrated their second win in this tournament. In Wednesday’s last OPC and World League match PNG defeated Vanuatu 3-0. Vanuatu stays last in the pool and is still waiting for its first points in this competition.
Last Modified on 26/12/2012 10:31