Pacific

Bula Boys beat in-form Solomons to reach Oceania Olympic final

09:52 am on 7 September 2023

Photo: OFC Media via Phototek

Fiji's footballers defeated Solomon Islands 3-0 in Auckland on Wednesday night in the semi-finals of the Oceania men's Olympic qualifier.

The Bula Boys now face New Zealand in Saturday night's final after the Oly Whites thrashed Vanuatu 8-0 in the first semi-final at Mt Smart Stadium.

Captain Etonia Dogalau was the hero for the Fijians scoring twice.

Substitute Brendan McMullen scored Fiji's third at the end.

The result is perhaps a small surprise as the Solomon Islanders were in great form coming into the match, beating Vanuatu and Samoa 3-0 and Tonga 5-1 in their group matches.

In the final Dogalau's side will attempt to qualify for the Olympics for the second time, having represented Oceania at the 2016 Summer Games.

The Oly Whites were three up within 12 minutes against the shell-shocked Vanuatans, and 6-0 up at half-time. Oscar van Hattum, Jesse Randall and Aaryan Raj all scored two goals apiece.

The final at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday is a repeat of the pool stage match between the two sides, when the host nation defeated the Fijians 3-1.

Auckland face superstars

Oceania champions Auckland City FC will meet local club Al Ittihad at the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in December.

The winner of the first-round encounter will meet African champions Al Ahly.

The Saudi Arabian side has bought several superstars recently including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho.

And it is currently chasing Egyptian great Mo Salah.

Auckland City qualified for the Club World Cup in dramatic circumstances at the Oceania Champions League tournament held in Vanuatu in May, beating Fiji's Suva FC in extra time in the final.