The Rob Sherman-coached Fiji men’s football team live to fight another day in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers Pool A matches following their 3-3 draw against the Papua New Guinea Kapuls in Port Moresby.
From a slow start for the visitors, to scoring an equalizer in the dying minute has now put the team in second spot behind New Caledonia.
Sherman said the host nation placed tough defensive tactics on his team that made them work extra hard. However, they knew they were still capable of securing a win to the final whistle.
“We managed to make a break in the dying moment, the game never stopped until the final whistle. The home team showed a lot of character with their game plan and played how we could’ve played defensively,” coach Sherman said.
Sherman said ahead of their final pool match on Sunday, the focus will be on recovery but also work to improve on their game plan against New Caledonia at the PNG Football Stadium.
“It’s a short recovery. However, we will now shift focus to our final match against New Caledonia,” he said.
“It’s a must win and we’d like to ensure we top the group. At this stage, we want to perform to the best and finish well on a high note.”
Meanwhile, Sherman said it was great to see the local Fijian community turn up in numbers to support their team apart from the football fans support back home.
The Fijian side led by their experienced striker Roy Krishna are expected to contest for top after recording a win against the Solomon Islands in Suva last month and now a draw against the PNG Kapuls in Port Moresby.
They can only hope to defeat New Caledonia who have registered two wins against the same teams in order to top the Pool and march on to the FIFA World Cup 26 Oceania Qualifiers semi-finals next year.
PC: Trevor Mallen Photography
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