SUVA, ( FIJI TIMES) – The big scorelines dished out by Fijian teams in the start of the FIH World Hockey League Round One were the results of different standard of facilities around the region.
The Fiji men’s team beat Tonga 8 – 2 in the first match, Papua New Guinea 4 – 2 and the Solomon Islands 14 – 1. The Fijian women led Solomon Islands 8-0 at halftime before scoring the highest score 18-0 at fulltime. They also beat Papua New Guinea 9-1.
Fiji had the luxury of playing at home on synthetic turf compared with some of the opponents’ grass grounds.
“Of the five playing nations, three of them have the same turf and it is good that they are adopting well to the standard of the game,” Oceania Hockey Federation president Dr Robin Mitchell said.
He said almost all teams were represented by young players.
“This is because of developments and we are glad that teams have adapted to the five-a-side league which is shorter and faster.”
Teams competing:
Men: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is, Tonga, Vanuatu.
Women: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is, Tonga.
Day 1 results: Men: Fiji – TGA 8 – 2 (5 – 1), PNG – SOL 4 – 2 (3 – 1), VAN – TGA 6 – 0 (5 – 0), FIJ – PNG 4 – 2 (1 – 1), VAN – PNG 5 – 3 (3 – 0), FIJ – SOL 14 – 1 (6 – 1)
Women: FIJ – SOL 18 – 0 (8 – 0), PNG – TGA 10 – 1 (5 – 0), TGA – SOL 1 – 2 (0 – 2), FIJ – PNG 9 – 1 (5 – 1)
