With a lot of expectations from the fans, the national side ran out positively but were stunned in the opening quarter of the match as Vanuatu were up two goals.
Dalong Damalip caught the Fiji defence off guard as he scored the opening goal of the match on the 5th minute.
Zica Manuhi scored Vanuatu’s second on the 23rd minute for a 2-0 lead which remained the scoreline of the match at half time.
Half time team talk seemed to have spraked the young Fijians who played with a confidence.
Lethal striker Rusiate Matarerega came off the bench to partner his Nadi team mate Napolioni Qasevakatini.
Narendra Rao got Fiji back in the match as his attempt from the edge of the box defelected in the net. Ten minutes later Fiji equalised as Qasevakatini headed in a Praneel Naidu freekick.
The local fans found their voice as the Fiji U20 side played with more confidence and dominated the match.
Six minutes from the final whistle Rusiate Matarerega who has guided the Nadi side to numerous victory did the same for the national side.
Fiji coach Ravinesh Kumar says a lot of hard work remained to be done.
“Mistakes cost us the two goals in the first half but the boys worked hard to come back and win the match,” he said.
“With the win we do not want to get ahead of ourselves and now our target is the second match against New Caledonia.”
2013 OFC U20 World Cup Playoffs
Full Time: Kappa Fiji 3 Vanuatu 2
Fiji Goals: Narendra Rao 58′, Napolioni Qasevakatini 68′;Rusiate Matarerega 84′
Fiji Cautions:Sakaraia Naisua 25′;
Vanuatu Goals:Dalong Damalip 5′;Zica Manuhi 23′
2pm Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fiji beat Vanuatu
