Fiji’s coach Marika Rodu has emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline in defense as his team prepares to face Papua New Guinea (PNG) in their second match of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup.
Reflecting on their 1-1 draw against Vanuatu in the opening match, Rodu acknowledged the strength of their opponents but stressed the need for players to remain focused until the final whistle. “We keep focusing on our defense. In the first game, we conceded a goal towards the end, which shows the quality of the opposition. We need to stay concentrated till the last moment,” he said.
The late goal conceded against Vanuatu has highlighted a key area of concern for Fiji—avoiding defensive lapses in crucial moments. Rodu has called for greater concentration and discipline as the team works to improve its performance in the upcoming match.
Fiji’s offense will also be under scrutiny as they aim to convert possession into goals. Despite dominating possession in their first game, the team struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, an issue they will need to address against a determined PNG side.
Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, will approach the match with their own ambitions, making this a pivotal clash for both teams. The result could play a significant role in determining their chances of advancing to the next stage of the tournament.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Both teams will be aiming to secure a positive result in this critical matchup.