Papua New Guinea Kapuls hopes of winning a home match was crushed in just 30 seconds following their 3-3 draw against Fiji on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, at PNG Football Stadium.
A first home game in seven years, the hosts led by skipper Alwin Komolong put up a defensive game in their second pool match during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Port Moresby.
Coach Felipe Vega-Arango said despite an improved performance compared to both team’s clash during the OFC Nations Cup in June, the last-minute equalizer from Fiji’s Merrill Nand was a huge let down from the home side.
“We knew they were going long in their game plan. Scoring our third goal was worth celebrating. However, we let our guard down at the last minute and that cost us a loss,” Arango said.
“Now it’s almost impossible to qualify in this Pool. All we need is for New Caledonia to defeat Fiji and for us to score a lot of goals against the Solomon Islands in our match on Sunday.
“More concentration on the mistakes in the match against Fiji, the boys will learn from this and hopefully improve in the last match.”
Meanwhile, in front of a passionate home crowd, the Kapuls started strongly but were just unable to keep hold of their advantage.
Just two minutes were on the clock when the home team opened the scoring, with Joseph Joe taking advantage of a loose ball to drive home from inside the area.
They held the lead for much of the first period, as Fiji toiled in attack, unable to deal with their opponents’ aggressive press.
When the leveler did arrive, it was thanks to some excellent play by Setareki Hughes, making his way down the right-hand side and lifting a delicate cross for the onrushing Thomas Dunn to head in from six yards out.
Parity lasted only a matter of minutes, as Ati Kepo pounced on a loose ball in the box and acrobatically lifted the ball over his own shoulder and past a despairing Jerome Narayan in the Fiji goal.
To their credit, Fiji hit back strongly after the break and were given a great chance to equalize from the penalty spot. Roy Krishna – so often Fiji’s hero – made no mistake, smashing past Dave Tomare to make it 2-2.
Fiji almost snatched the lead, when Nabil Begg met Sterling Vasconcellos’ cross with an excellent header that faded just wide of Tomare’s right-hand post.
As the clock ticked down, both teams were determined to keep fighting to seal the deal. It came just in time for Raymond Gunemba, who delivered a powerful header that found the back of the net, igniting the home crowd.
However, just seconds later, Fiji had the final say. Merrill Nand responded with a well-placed header, leaving Papua New Guinea in disbelief and ending the game in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The result leaves Papua New Guinea still alive in Group A, but they will have to beat the Solomon Islands on Sunday (November 17th) and hope for the best.
PC: Trevor Mallen Photography
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