ANOTHER tournament and the script has not changed with Fiji losing 3-0 to New Zealand in the Oceania Under-20 World Cup play-offs in Tahiti yesterday.
Fiji, NZ, New Caledonia and hosts Tahiti have their eyes on the prize of a place at next September's FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt.
Months of training and the promise of incentives seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
A $1000 bonus was promised to each player if they qualified from the first stage. Head coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti was oozing with confidence before the team left our shores.
Fiji FA vice-president Rajesh Patel said there were a number of factors which could have contributed to the loss.
"There were problems with the accommodation and also the meals," Patel said.
"This was just days before playing New Zealand. These are kinds of things which affect young players."
He said despite being disappointed with the result Fiji FA would continue to support the team.
"We did not have the same build-up as New Zealand and there were no warm-up matches," he said. "The players did give it their best.
"However, we will look at areas where we need to work on."
Wellington Phoenix duo Costa Barbarouses and Greg Draper scored either side of an Adam McGeorge strike. Fiji will play New Caledonia tomorrow.
Fiji: Wasim Ali, Peniame Drova, Amani Makoe, Josefata Neibuli, (Jese Ilimotama), Tekiata Rumeru, Esava Naqeleca, Monit Chand, Archie Watkins, (Joseva Basudra), Ranjesh Prasad, Samuela Drudru, ( Nasoni Mereke), Maciu Tuilau.
NZL: Hyss Keane, Tim Myers, Ian Hogg, Sam Campbell, Michael Eager, Costa Barbarouses, Adam McGeorge, (Michael Pickering), Greg Draper, Cory Chettleburghm, ( Sam Blackburn), Jonathan Raj, Jake Mathews, (Milos Nikolic).
