Fiji Held To Draw After Leading 2-0

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 17

Fiji Held To Draw After Leading 2-0

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. The Fijian soccer team brought real entertainment to the Basin Reserve on Saturday in contrast to the dour Chatham Cup final of the previous week.

The lanky Fijians moved quickly to the ball, often intercepting Wellington’s passes, and dominated the game for most of the first half. Attacking through the outsideleft, Naborisi, the tourists led 1-0 at the Interval and 2-0 early in the second half. It was only when the overconfident visitors tried to breach Wellington through the centre that the home

team got on top and fought back to a 2-aIl draw. Naborisi, a long-striding player, linked well with his halves, who showed eagerness to join in the attack. In the first half, O. Wong threatened the Wellington goal, and in the second Mitieli was the danger. In the first half, the Wellington players were slow to move to the ball, with the exception of the wing-half, G. P. Bilby. The Wellington tackling was a contrast to the persistent challenging of the Fijians. At centre-half. A. K. Jeffery was a rugged tackler for Wellington and for most of the match he successfully covered the big Fijian striker, Esala Masi.

Both Wellington’s goals came from the centre-forward, G. Brand, who was playing only his second game for the province. Gatta and Naborisi were Fiji’s scorers.

Yesterday, the Fijians were behind three times but finally gained the upper hand to beat Taranaki, 4-3.