The Bula Boys topped Group B of the OFC Nations Cup in Suva tonight after beating Tahiti 1-0 in their final match.
The Fijians march into the semifinals next week with a perfect winning record and maximum nine points.
Coach Rob Sherman made slight changes to his starting team and fielded Gabriel Matanisiga in place of Scott Wara in defence while Sitiveni Cavuilagi started ahead of Mohammed Raheem in midfield and Sairusi Nalaubu got his first start of the competition and pushed Setareki Hughes to the bench.
Tahiti made some good attacking moves in the opening period but the hosts were able to get on the score-sheet in the 23rd minute after Nalaubu was fouled by the goalkeeper on his way to score.
Captain Roy Krishna rose to the occasion and netted the match winner, and in the process increased his international scoring tally to 40 goals.
Nabil Begg almost put in Fiji’s second goal with a perfect header which hit the cross-bar and bounced back into play in the 41st minute.
The second half was pretty evenly contested with both teams enjoying their fair share of chances, but the Fijians reigned supreme in the end to finish of their campaign at home on a high.
Fiji will now face Group A runners-up Vanuatu in the second semifinal at the Fresh Water Stadium in Port Villa at 3pm on Thursday.
Reigning champions and Group A winners New Zealand will come up against Tahiti in the first semifinal on the same day at 11am.
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