Fiji football

The win means New Zealand have confirmed their place at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic.

With only seconds remaining, Katie Pugh sealed the title for the Kiwis to break Fijian hearts, who had put in a herculean effort.

As expected, New Zealand started the brighter and dominated possession in the opening stages. To their credit, Fiji were resolute and well-drilled and it was notable that the Kiwis were struggling to string passes together in the manner seen earlier in the tournament.

A hat-trick from midfielder Luse Ratulele and a brace each to forwards Sisilia Kuladina and Elesi Tabunase Fiji secure an emphatic win.

Angeline Chua’s side possessed plenty of pace and it was evident from the outset as Fiji completely dominated the encounter.

Fiji made a dream start when Makareta Theresa’s left foot shot squeezed under a diving Vanuatu goalkeeper Jenifer Homu.

Six minutes later it was two as Sisilia Kuladina made a scything run into the box and her deflected shot left Homu with no chance.

The Bula Boys now face New Zealand in Saturday night's final after the Oly Whites thrashed Vanuatu 8-0 in the first semi-final at Mt Smart Stadium.

Captain Etonia Dogalau was the hero for the Fijians scoring twice.

Substitute Brendan McMullen scored Fiji's third at the end.

The result is perhaps a small surprise as the Solomon Islanders were in great form coming into the match, beating Vanuatu and Samoa 3-0 and Tonga 5-1 in their group matches.

The team defeated the hosts 2-1 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Vanuatu was leading 1-0 at the break after Tony Kalotang put the visitors in front in the 10th minute.

The Vanuatu-side extended their lead just five minutes into the second half through Joe Moses.

However, just five minutes later Junior Bula Boys managed to pull a goal back via George Kubu.

TheFiji under-20 side tried their best to get an equalizer but failed to do so as Vanuatu’s defence stood tall.

Vanuatu lost to Solomon Islands 2-0 before the win against Fiji.

Johnathan Sesejack scored the opener in the 18th minute while Patrick Joseph found the equaliser for the Marika Rodu-coached side in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot.

In the 47th minute, Claude Aru scored the winner from a beautiful free-kick just from outside the penalty box.

Fiji also lost 1-4 to the Solomon Islands earlier on.

The Bula Boys will face the Junior Bula Boys while Vanuatu will take on the Solomon Islands on Thursday in the second match at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The trio were dismissed in their U-20 match against Indonesia in the PSSI Invitational tournament.

Pawan Pratap Singh, who was sent off for punching opponents as the fight broke out in the game's final minutes, has been sent home by the Fijian FA.

Team captain Melvin Singh was also red-carded while an Indonesian player was sent off for retaliation.

In a statement, Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel said the team management has been directed to work on the discipline of the team, both on and off the field, in preparation for the next match and onwards.

Krishna will play alongside Indian captain Sunil Chettri in the forward line.

He was linked with a return to A-League side Wellington Phoenix but told FBC Sports he has a lot of hunger to prove himself in the Indian League.

Krishna spent three season with another Indian side, ATK Mohun Bagan, the first Fijian to play in the top division in the country.

He was the joint top goal scorer twice and the winner of the golden ball in the 2020-21 season.

The 19- year-old became the first Fijian woman to sign a professional sports deal after joining Israeli side ASA Tel Aviv University SC in March.

But the Women's Premier League was cancelled earlier this month with two games still to play, after fighting broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

Davis, who is also a US citizen, had been due to fly home to her family in Seattle next month, but booked an earlier flight to return to the US last Friday.

A 30 man training squad began a week-long camp in Ba yesterday under new head coach Flemming Serritslev, with around the half the players yet to play for the Bula Boys at senior level.

"This time we have some young players in the squad. It's not because they are present national team players but we want to see them among the experienced national team players how they are doing," he said.

"Mostly likely next time we will try some other very young players in the camp. If they are good enough then they are also old enough."

Danish national Flemming Serritslev arrived in Fiji over 12 weeks ago before agreeing to take charge of the Bula Boys on the road to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

His first matches in charge were set to be as part of an international tri-series against Solomon Islands and Tahiti in March before the fixtures were postponed because of Covid-19, while it was confirmed this week that the OFC Nations Cup in June had been scrapped.