Second-half goals from Mohammed Raheem, Mustafa Mohammed, and Nabil Begg ensured Fiji beat Tonga comfortably 3-0 in their Pool B OFC Under-19 Championship 2022 clash at the Stade Pater in Papeete, Tahiti today.
Scores remained nil-all at half-time after Begg and Melvin Mani missed scoring opportunities in the first half.
The win sees Fiji extend Tonga’s losing streak to the home side. The last time two sides met in the competition was a decade ago in which Fiji won 7-1 in the group stages.
Fiji will take on Tahiti next in their final Group B fixture on Wednesday, 14 September. The match has been regarded as a possible decider for the top spot.
Fiji last won the title in 2014. In 2016 and 2018 were unlucky, having made their exit at the group stages.
Fiji overcame a robust resistance from Group B opponents Tonga to secure a 3-0 win in their OFC U-19 Championship 2022 clash at Stade Pater in Papeete, Tahiti.
Second-half goals from Mohammed Raheem, Mustafa Mohammed and Nabil Begg ensured all three points for Ronil Lal’s side.
Fiji will have been disappointed not to take the lead in a tame first-half, with Begg and Melvin Mani both missing golden opportunities to give them the lead.
These two nations last met at this competition a decade ago, Fiji winning 7-1 in the group stages. Tonga seemed intent on avoiding a repeat result and held out until half-time with Ulukaulupe ‘Akolo even threatening to snatch the lead, heading wide from a long-throw.
Tonga U-19 0
Fiji U-19 3 (Mohammed RAHEEM 64’, Mustafa MOHAMMED 71′, Nabil BEGG 81′)
Half-time: 0-0
Photo: Oceania Football Confederation
