Playing against a professional outfit which had the services of the likes of Paulo Sergio, Giovanni, Emerson da Silva, Carlos da Silva and Jose Almeida, the national side pleased the huge number of fans in attendance.
Fiji survived few scares in the first spell and it seemed that the match would head into halftime goalless but Claudecir Aparecido Aguiar gave the Brazilians the lead a minute before the break.
Fiji restarted play and lethal striker Valerio Nawatu scored at the other hand as the Fiji fans were on their feet as both sides left for the change room. Half time: Fiji 1 Play Fair Brazil 1.
Our national side started the second half strongly as they searched for their second goal. But a mistake by the Fiji defence saw Giovanni Silva de Oliveira nail the visitors second goal which proved to be the match winner.
Juan Carlos Buzzetti brought in some fresh legs to the field but the visitors held on to their defensive lines.
Buzzetti applauded his players for the effort.
“I’m very pleased and proud of the performance of our boys. We played against a professional side and to play a competitive match is a bonus for us,” he said.
Brazilian coach Marcos Vizzolli said his side would be more confident come their next match this Saturday.
“It was a tough game for us as this was our first match here and it took time for our players to adjust to the conditions.”
“Now that we have played Fiji, our approach in the next match will be different and we surely want to return home on a positive note,” he told FijiLIVE
The second test will be played this Saturday 2.30pm at Govind Park in Ba.
Vodafone Play Fair Brazil Fiji Tour
Thursday August 23, 2012
Full Time: Fiji 1 Play Fair Brazil 2
Fiji Goal: Valerio Nawatu 45’
Fiji Caution: Roy Krishna 29’
Brazil Goals: Claudecir Aparecido Aguiar 44’; Giovanni Silva de Oliveira 56’
Brazil Cautions: Paulo Sergio Nascimento 38’; Claudecir Aparecido Aguiar 44’; Emerson Pereira da Silva 55’
6pm Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fiji team:
1.Akuila Mateisuva (GK), 3. Amani Makoe, 4. Remeuru Tekiata, 5. Taniela Waqa (C ), 6. Manueli Kalou, 7. Ilimotama Jese, 8. Ilisoni Logaivau, 9. Valerio Nawatu, 10. Zibraaz Sahib, 11. Roy Krishna, 18. Samuela Kautoga
Reserves: 2. Krishneel Dutt, 12. Archie Watkins, 13. Noa Vukica, 14. Maciu Dunadamu, 15. Misaele Draunibaka, 16. Taione Bola, 19. Tomasi Tuicakau, 20. Ratu Jone Gasaubalavu
Fair Play Brazil
1.Fabio Santiago Freitas (GK), 2. Jose Carlos de Almeida, 3. Marquem Gonsalves Ferreira, 4.Emerson Pereira da Silva, 5. Cladecir Aparecido Aquiar, 6. Eliveton Alves Rufino, 7.Paulo Sergio Nascimento (C ), 8.Carlos Luciano da Silva, 9. Emanoel Dias Ephima, 10. Giovanni Silva de Oliveira, 11. Demetrius Ferreira Leita
Reserves:
12. Vanderlei dos Santos, 13. Luis Felipe do Nasvimento, 14. Thiago de Lima, 15. Alix Aeferson P Silva, 16. Lucas de Oliveira Jesus
Fiji 1 Play Fair Brazil 2
