“The boys showed their character coming back time and again, “said a jubilant Fijian coach Hector Smith Senior as his side beat the Kiwis 5-4 in the dreaded penalty shoot.
“They kept on fighting back whenever the Maoris took the lead. It just shows their character and I am proud of them,” Smith added.
Former Olympian and Black Sticks player David Kosoof was disappointed with the result.
“It was anyone’s game and a bit disappointed it did not go our way.
“We started off well but the home crowd kept on cheering for the Fijian boys,” said Kosoof.
The Fijian team had to come from behind three times to level the game at 4 all at the fulltime hooter.
New Zealand took first blood through Sam Hewett (11th minute). Fiji equalized two minutes later through Terrence Corrie from a field goal. The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime.
The Kiwis extended their lead in the second half to 3-1 through Hewett and Connor Herewini.
Fiji fought back through Adrian Smith and Leevan Dutta to draw level, 3-3.
New Zealand hit the lead again through Hoera Mohi but Fiji equalized through Adrian again forcing the game to be decided on penalty shoot out.
Both teams scored each from the first five attempts and it was left to Terrence Corrie to score from sudden death after the Kiwis failed to score theirs.
Fiji men face a tougher encounter against Australia Country in their next game while the Maoris square off against Papua New Guinea.
Last Modified on 26/12/2012 10:16