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0′ – hundreds gathered in sweltering heat at Govind Park will be disappointed to hear that Fiji’s first-choice goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau is out with a knee injury
2′ – the match is underway, with Fiji applying the early pressure through 10. Roy KRISHNA and 11. Tuimasi MANUCA
4′ – Fiji 8. Ronil KUMAR releases Krishna to produce an impressive double-save from Vanuatu goalkeeper 20. Chikau MANSALE, under close attention from Manuca
7′ – GOAL!
Vanuatu 13. Francois SAKAMA fouls debutant skipper 16. Malakai TIWA, who places a pin-point free kick in the path of 15. Salesh KUMAR to put Fiji in the lead early on
Mansale is livid with his defence for allowing Fiji the chance
9′ – Tiwa is inspired, relishing the responsibility afforded him in this fixture
10′ – Vanuatu striker 12. Joseph NAMARAIU fires wide from the edge of the Fijian area
12′ – Fiji seem content with the lead, along with their often-animated Uruguayan coach Juan Carlos Buzetti
13′ – Vanuatu are enjoying a lot of possession, so far to no avail
15′ – Vanuatu 11. Jean Robert YELOU fouls 9. Pita BALEITOGA to close down a Fijian counter-attack
17′ – Krishna turns his marker, only to shoot directly at Mansale
19′ – Krishna lays off to 5. Esava NAQELECA, whose whipped cross narrowly evades the outstretched Tiwa
21′ – wonderkid Krishna is having a field day, rattling the crossbar from 20 yards
23′ – Namaraiu beats 7. Rajnil Ritesh CHANDS to find 13. Francois SAKAMA, whose finish is turned around the post by Fijian 1. Benaminio MATEINAQARA
24′ – Vanuatu have now gained the impetus, with 10. Seimata CHILIA making his mark upon returning to international football
29′ – the exhasperating heat seems to be getting to the players, as the match meanders through the later stages of the opening half
32′ – the afternoon crowd has built to over a thousand now, with Vanuatu chancing their arm as both teams tire
37′ – a Taniela WAQA free kick sees Krishna bearing down on goal, only to be flagged offside
42′ – Manuca and Mansale tangle inside the Vanuatu area, with the Vanuatu custodian requiring treatment
43′ – Vanuatu 20. Chikau MANSALE succumbs to the injury, and is replaced by 1. John Presley GARAE
— 2 minutes injury time —
HALF TIME: FIJ 1 VAN 0
48′ – the second half is underway at a frenetic pace, with both teams realising they must strike early to take control of the fixture
49′ – Salesh Kumar’s free kick finds the head of Manuca, who narrowly misses the target from close-range
51′ – Baleitoga wastes a good chance, his shot careering over the Vanuatu goal
55′ – Krishna finds Manuca free in the area, but his header is held comfortably by Garae
*OFC Media apologises for the temporary loss of connection at this point*
63′ – a defensive mistake from Vanuatu gives Manuca a chance to shoot, which he blazes over
63′ – 11. Tuimasi MANUCA is replaced by 13. Maciu DUNADAMU
65′ – Fiji ring the changes, with the popular 12. Henry DYER taking the place of 8. Ronil KUMAR
70′ – livewire Vanuatu 13. Francois SAKAMA is suprisingly replaced by 15. Michell KAITAK
73′ – 9. Pita BALEITOGA receives a yellow card for a foul on Chilia
79′ – Fiji look to close up the game, bringing on defensive sub 4. Alvin SINGH in place of 9. Pita BALEITOGA
83′ – the match is opening up, with Vanuatu desperate for an equaliser and the away goal
87′ – GOAL!
Krishna provides the winner for Fiji, finding substitute 13. Maciu DUNADAMU in space to slam home his finish
— 3 minutes added on —
90’+3 – Buzzetti triumphantly punches the air, as Fiji secure their first win in Stage 2 of the OFC Nations Cup
FULL TIME: FIJ 2 VAN 0
MATCH INFO:
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA ™ QUALIFIERS
2008 OFC NATIONS CUP
15H00 (FIJ T) – 6 September 2008
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.
Substitutes not used: 2. Manueli KALOU; 6. Samuela Vuluma VULA; 14. Monit Vikash CHAND; 20. Boletawa FILIMONE [gk].
Injured: Simione TAMANISAU [gk].
Cautions:
Injured:
Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)
Fourth Official: Salaiau SOSONGAN (PNG)