Fiji Women remain unbeaten in this competition. In Wednesday’s top match the host nation celebrated a 3-1 win after penalties against Australia Country.
The encounter started delayed due to a power cut which disallowed the sprinklers from working. However the volunteers and officials worked hard to water the pitch manually using buckets and hose pipes.
Australia had a great start with their first penalty corner coming in the second minute but it hit the post. However, Caitlin Rosser scored the opening goal a few minutes later when she fired the ball into the top corner of the Fiji net.
Afterwards Fiji was close to equalising when Asinate Blake almost scored but she missed to tip the ball in at a penalty corner. Australia Country was the better side in the first half creating many opportunities but failing to convert them. They could have been leading by a higher margin.
Instead, Fiji equalised out of the blue when Ateca Fatufago deflected a shot from Camellia Tikiosuva into the Australian goal. After Fiji’s equalising goal, local support got rowdier and started pushing them on. However, the match went into halftime with a tied result.
Australia also started great in the second half but the Fiji goalie, Susana Mudunatagi kept them from scoring with a few terrific saves. Australia Country had more ball possession in the second half but Fiji was still able to keep them out of the circle.
When Australia’s Sophie Rodda was sent off with a yellow card because she interrupted the run of play, Fiji’s Rita Hicks had a chance of scoring the winning goal for Fiji. Despite being shorthanded, Australia Country’s Jordan Hill missed a great opportunity.
Fiji’s keeper Mudunatagi did a fabulous job in the last few minutes saving Fiji the shootout where she was the match winner for her team.
“It was the first time for us to do the 8 seconds. My coach told me I should believe in myself and do it for my country,” Mudunatagi said.
Australia’s Rosser was disappointed. “The game is always unpredictable when you’re playing really good players, it can always tip either way. Yea, we had our moments but we couldn’t score. It’s a shame to come down to the shootout at the end but that’s the way the game goes. You win some, lose some, it makes you stronger.”
Last Modified on 26/12/2012 10:30