Fiji men’s football to battle for the bronze medal
DESPITE the 4-all draw against the Solomon Islands in their last pool game, the Fiji men’s football side are now through to the bronze medal play-off today against Papua New Guinea at the Toleafoa JS Blatter Complex football stadium at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
The Bula Boys were out of contention for the gold/silver medal play-off after their 1-0 loss to New Caledonia and a win or draw against Solomon Islands qualifies them for the bronze medal play-off today.
Fiji led the Solomons 3-1 in a very fierce game with heavy ground conditions from the bad weather experienced on Thursday evening with goals from Patrick Joseph, Samuela Drudru and Roy Krishna.
However the Solomon Islanders came back strong and scored another goal 3-2 going into half-time.
The other two goals which leveled the scores at 4 all came in the second half through penalty kicks — Krishna nailing the goal for Fiji.
Fiji football coach Christophe Gamel said it was a very super and intense game from both sides.
“It was totally an open game, we wanted really to win and them also,” Gamel said.
“Eight goals in the game like that with these condition, I have to salute the boys and also Solomon,” he said.
Gamel said they had enjoyed the game especially him from the bench.
“We have let out a lot of energy for this process and now we will have to face a good team for the bronze.
“And this team (PNG) has played one game less than us so now it’s a matter of how the boys will recover to be ready to go for the bronze medal.”
However he said it was an achievement to reach the bronze medal playoff because it was really a do or die game against the Solomons.Gamel said for now he would work on the recovery of the boys and to analyse the game against the Solomons.
“To give them the most detail possible for them to know how to offensively attack this team.
“PNG is quite a good team.”