Fiji and New Caledonia Face Defeats in FIFA U-17 World Cup Openers
In a challenging start to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, both Fiji and New Caledonia experienced heavy defeats in their opening matches. Fiji faced Tunisia in Group D and lost 6-0, while New Caledonia competed against Portugal in Group B, suffering a 6-1 defeat.
Fiji’s Debut at the FIFA U-17 World Cup
This tournament marks a significant milestone for Fiji, as it is their first appearance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The match took place at the Aspire Zone in Doha. Despite the final score, Fiji showcased moments of resilience against a formidable Tunisian team.
The young Fijians started well defensively, absorbing early pressure. Goalkeeper Melvin Prakash made crucial saves, but Tunisia’s Wassim Slama broke through in the 30th minute. Tunisia quickly extended their lead to 2-0 by the 36th minute.
After halftime, Fiji attempted to regroup and find their footing. Tukai Ravonakula came close to scoring with a volley, but Tunisia’s goalkeeper denied him. The North Africans soon scored four additional goals, sealing a comprehensive victory. Fiji’s next match is against Belgium on Friday, November 6, 2025.
New Caledonia’s Competitive Spirit
New Caledonia also faced a tough opponent in Portugal. This game, like Fiji’s, was held at the Aspire Zone in Doha. New Caledonia’s campaign got off to an unexpected start when Ezekiel Wamowe converted a penalty in the 11th minute, giving them an early lead.
Portugal responded quickly, equalizing soon after with a goal from Anisio Cabral in the 22nd minute. The teams went into halftime level at 1-1. However, the second half turned drastically, with Portugal scoring five more goals, attributed largely to their strong possession game and offensive prowess.
New Caledonia struggled to maintain their competitive edge, allowing Portugal to dominate the second half. Their next challenge will come against Japan on Friday, November 6, 2025.
Match Results
| Group | Teams | Score |
|---|---|---|
| B | New Caledonia vs Portugal | 1 – 6 |
| D | Fiji vs Tunisia | 0 – 6 |
Upcoming Fixtures
- New Zealand vs Mali – November 6, 2025, 3:45 AM (NZT)
- New Caledonia vs Japan – November 6, 2025, time TBD
- Fiji vs Belgium – November 6, 2025, time TBD
Both teams from Oceania aim to learn and improve as the tournament progresses. Their experiences in this prestigious competition will be valuable for their development in international football.
