VODAFONE Fiji football team coach Christophe Gamel was pleased with the performance of his new recruit Scott Wara.
The London-based player played his debut game for Fiji last night against the Solomon Islands in their FIFA international Friendly at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
The match ended in a 1-all draw. Gamel said it was team bonding for Wara and his Fijian teammates.
“I am very pleased with him,” Gamel said.
“Although he was still severely jet-lagged and playing out of his normal defensive line, he played a good game. “He was a bit lost in the beginning, but after he settled, he did well and I believe still has more possibility to express himself in the midfield.”
Micah Lea’alafa put the visitors in the lead midway in the first spell after the Fijian defenders failed to clear possession.
Lea’alafa blasted the ball into the roof of the net from six metres out, beating Fijian goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube. Goal.
Fiji looked a shadow of the side in the first spell in comparison to how they performed in previous matches as the visitors entertained the spectators with fancy footwork and dribbling skills.
Lea’alafa was the crowd favourite using his Futsal skills to easily get past the Fijian defenders.
Gamel made three changes in the first spell, pulling out Paula Buke, Narend Rao and Rusiate Matererega and sent in replacements Christopher Wasasala, Scott Wara and Saula Waqa.
Fiji came out firing in the second spell. They dominated possession and territory after the breather.
Solomon Islands defended bravely, however, captain Benjamin Totori fouled Roy Krishna in the six yard box resulting in a penalty.
Krishna made no mistake from the spot equalising for the home side.
Both teams tried hard to find the winner in the final quarter, but failed to do so. Solomon Islands’ Alvin Hoe was sent off late in the match for a second bookable offence.
On debut, Wara played an authoritative role in mid-field and nearly grabbed a goal as well from a Krishna cross.
