Fijian midfielder Salesh Kumar provided the inspiration his side needed as Fiji’s winless run in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifiers ended with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Vanuatu at Govind Park, Ba this evening.

Kumar, who joined the team on Thursday delivered a mesmerising man-of-the-match performance including the opening goal in the seventh minute to ease the pressure on Carlos Buzzetti’s side.

At his very best the former Ba rep played a confident, commanding role in both attack and defensive to help restore some credibility to Fiji’s dented campaign which started with losses against New Zealand and New Caledonia together with a tie with the latter in the return match.

Replacement Maciu Dunadamu sealed the win with a late goal in the 42nd minute of the second half after he was set up by Labasa’s Henry Dyer. 

Fiji Coach Buzzetti said Vanuatu proved a competitive side and was full of praise for the Vanuatu resilience, especially in defense.

“As I had said before, the game would be decided by one or two goals. Both teams played good football.’’

“It was hard for us to penetrate their defence because they have two very good centre backs in Freddy (Vava) and Gete (Lego) and they didn’t compromise much.’’

“We tried to play long balls in the first half and they managed to counter it. Also they had an experienced midfield while Fiji has players that were 21, 22 and 23 years old,’’ Buzzetti said.

Vanuatu captain Freddy Vava said lack of communication led to the loss.

“We’re very disappointed with the result. I don’t what happened to the boys, they are fit, but we couldn’t do much today (yesterday).

“We panicked in the first half and were not communicating. We’ll do our best to win at home,’’ said the 28-year-old.

The two sides will meet again on Wednesday September 10 at Municipal Stadium, Port Vila.

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA ™ QUALIFIERS STANDINGS

PL W D L GF GA GD PTS
1. New Zealand 4 4 0 0 11 4    +7 12
2. New Caledonia 5 2 2 1 12 7    +5 8
4. Fiji 4 1 1 2 5 9    -4 4
3. Vanuatu 5 0 1 4 3 12    -9 1

 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA ™ QUALIFIERS

2008 OFC NATIONS CUP

FIJI 2 (S.Kumar, Dunadamu) vs. VANUATU 0

15H00 (FIJ T) – 6 September 2008

Govind Park – Ba – Fiji  

FIJ: 1. Benaminio MATEINAQARA [gk]; 3. Taniela Evo WAQA; 5. Esava NAQELECA; 7. Rajnil Ritesh CHAND; 8. Ronil KUMAR (12. Henry DYER 65′); 9. Pita BALEITOGA (4. Alvin SINGH); 10. Roy KRISHNA; 11. Tuimasi MANUCA (13. Maciu DUNADAMU 63′); 15. Salesh KUMAR ; 16. Malakai TIWA [c]; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE.

Coach: Juan Carlos BUZZETTI

Substitutes not used: 2. Manueli KALOU; 6. Samuela Vuluma VULA; 14. Monit Vikash CHAND; 20. Boletawa FILIMONE [gk]. 

Injured: Simione TAMANISAU [gk].

Suspended: Osea VAKATALESAU.

Not Available: Peni FINAU; Alvin AVINESH; Shivan SAMI.  

Goal scorers:  15. Salesh KUMAR (7′), 13. Maciu DUNADAMU (87′).   

VAN: 2. Samson OBED; 6. Fedy VAVA;  8. Pita David MAKI; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL ;  10. Seimata CHILIA; 11. Jean Robert YELOU; 12. Joseph NAMARAIU; 13. Francois SAKAMA (15. Michell KAITAK 70′); 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18. Robert TOM; 20. Chikau MANSALE [gk] (1. John Presley GARAE [gk] 43′).

Coach: William MALAS

Substitutes not used: 4. Peter Shem TOA;  5. Roger JOE; 7
. Moise POIDA; 14. Jeffrey NIMANIAN; 19. Derek MALAS.

Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)

Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (TON)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael MOUAURI (COK)