PORT MORESBY, July 10 – A hat-trick from Napalioni Qasevakatini has helped Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 3-1 in men’s football on a drizzling day at Bisini Grounds on Friday, and his team now advances to the Olympic qualifying final in the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games.
Qasevakatini opened the scoring for Fiji after a cross from the right in the 3rd minute to silence the vocal and pro-PNG crowd. PNG striker Tommy Semmy hit the side-netting with a sharp left-foot drive after eight minutes, but soon afterwards levelled things up for PNG after a fierce challenge in the box saw referee Norbert Hauata (TAH) issue Filipe Baravilala (FIJ) a yellow card and point to the penalty spot. The card could easily have been red, but Semmy’s penalty left Tevita Koroi (FIJ) rooted to the spot and the scores sat at 1-1. Semmy was later clear on goal in the 30th minute, but a poor first touch allowed Fiji goalkeeper Koroi to pinch the ball from his feet. It was an opportunity gone begging. Then a lapse in concentration on the stroke of halftime allowed Chris Wasasala to fleece John Ray on the left, and weight a beautiful cross from the left into the path of Qasevakatini who tapped home his second and made it 2-1. In the 53rd minute another mistake in defence from Ray allowed sharpshooter Qasevakatini to drill a half-chance home from just outside the box and with it bury PNG’s Olympic football dream. Fiji’s win was only spoilt by an injury-time red card – one yellow for time wasting and a second for some choice words – issued to Sakaraia Naisua (FIJ), which gave coach Carlos Buzzetti (AUS) an excuse for a spirited touchline rant at the officials. Buzzetti’s argument for a case of mistaken identity appeared a good one. Fiji now move to the Olympic qualifying final against the winner of Friday’s afternoon game between New Zealand and Vanuatu. The big game will be played at Sir Hubert Murray stadium on Sunday at 18:00. PNG is now eliminated from the Olympic qualifying tournament but can prepare for a 2015 Pacific Games semifinal on Wednesday July 15. By Dr Pilipus Garpet, Games News Service
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