The match between the Fiji national team, the Bula Boys, and the Fiji U-20 side, the Junior Bula Boys, in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament was a highly anticipated encounter. Both teams were looking for a win to boost their morale after losing their opening matches in the tournament. The game was held at the Churchill Park Stadium in Lautoka, Fiji.
The first half of the match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating a few chances but failing to convert them into goals. The halftime scoreline was 0-0, with both teams looking to break the deadlock in the second half.
The second half of the match was full of action and drama. The Junior Bula Boys came out strongly and took the lead through substitute Samuela Navasa, who scored a brilliant goal to put his team ahead. However, the Bula Boys responded quickly and equalized through defender Simione Nabenu, who headed in a corner kick to make it 1-1.
The Bula Boys continued to push forward and were rewarded for their efforts when Suva’s striker Samuela Drudru scored a superb goal to put his team ahead. However, the Junior Bula Boys refused to give up and continued to attack, searching for the equalizer. In the dying moments of the game, Lautoka’s defender Sterling Vasconcellos scored a dramatic equalizer to make it 2-2, much to the delight of the Junior Bula Boys‘ fans.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with both teams putting in a spirited performance. Still before the final whistle Fiji national team’s Tevita Waranaivalu was sent with a direct red card. While the Bula Boys and the Junior Bula Boys would have been disappointed not to win, the result was a fair reflection of the game. Both teams now have one point each in the tournament as they will play Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in their final games.
Oceania Football Center 