Perfect starts for Fiji and Tahiti

Both host Fiji and Tahiti took solid wins in the first matchday of Group B of the OFC Nations Cup.

Tahiti and Samoa played the first game in Group B, being played in Fiji’s capital Suva.

Two first-half goals set Samuel Garcia’s side on their way, despite a resilient and spirited effort from Samoa.

Only four minutes were on the clock when Matéo Degrumelle latched onto a through ball from Manuarii Shan, before prodding an effort that escaped under the grasp of goalkeeper Joel Bartley.

Degrumelle was a constant threat down the Tahiti right-hand side and almost created a second when he crossed to the back post but Shan could only side-foot his effort wide of the far post.

The vital second goal came not long after however. Captain Teaonui Tehau doubling the lead – finishing from an Eddy Kaspard cross that had initally evaded Ariiura Labaste.

Big scoreline

In the second match, host Fiji got the start the fans was looking for, as they powered their way to an impressive 5-1 win over Papua New Guinea.

Less than two minutes were on the clock when the deadlock was broken. The pacey Nabil Begg driving at the heart of the Papua New Guinea defence before lashing his effort high into the net, beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Ronald Warisan.

Thomas Dunn added two goals for Fiji either side of the half time mark, while an own goal from Alwin Komolong and captain Roy Krishna fixed the rest of Fiji’s goals.

Tommy Semmy added a consolation goal for PNG in the dying minutes.

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