The Fiji men's rugby sevens team are guaranteed to win the country's first ever Olympic medal after advancing to the finals.
Fiji's Josua Tuisova runs with the ball against Japan. Photo: AFP
The World Series champions beat Japan 20-5 in the semi-final and later this morning will battle Great Britain for gold.
Vatemo Ravouvou crossed for the opening try with just over one minute gone in the match.
Japan's Teruya Goto caught the top seeds napping midway through the half before Josua Tuisova scored to make it 10-5 at halftime.
Semi Kunatani made it 15-5 just seconds after the interval before Jerry Tuwai sealed the historic win with Fiji's fourth try of the match.
Watch Fiji take the whole week off of school and work if we get the GOLD
— DaddyLani (@NoelaniMalo) August 11, 2016
Fiji Rugby development manager Sale Sorovaki said everyone in the country was looking forward to the decider.
"I'm sure at 10 o'clock nobody will be working here in Fiji - everybody will be glued to their TV sets. Here in Nadi we had a conference and we've had to hold the conference in the last couple of days, just to watch the games and get back in, so it's an exciting time for us."
Peak hour Suva when the rugby is on. @fijirugby #Rio2016 #fij pic.twitter.com/T8BqZ6ZPjg
— Aleta Miller (@AletaFMiller) August 10, 2016
Highlanders and Fiji wing Patrick Osborne told Checkpoint the country would probably have a week-long holiday if they manage to go on to win gold.
"I guess there will be some relief because we are top seeds, front-runners for winning the gold medal and there's so much expectation from home on the team. It will be a dream come true for the whole nation I guess."
Our rubbish collector usually collects the rubbish at 9 today. They still havent reached our neighborhood yet #TosoViti #FIJ #Rugby7s
— Filomena Lagilevu (@Lagilevu_Fiji) August 11, 2016
Joeli Vidiri played international rugby for both Fiji and New Zealand and said winning the Olympic title would be massive for his homeland.
"It's a very very very huge thing for Fiji as a whole and Fiji as a country -also, for the Fijian people around the world. At the moment they're on the TV, on the Facebook page watching the game in Rio and they'll never miss it. It's a big thing for the Fijian community and Fiji as a whole."
I'm bout to risk getting fired jus so I can watch this game so Fiji better win
— Joey McIntyre (@joey_6789) August 11, 2016
Japan, who stunned New Zealand in pool play, still have a chance of a medal and will contest the bronze playoff against South Africa.
Great Britain edged South Africa 7-5 in the second semi final.
Tongan boxer Paea Wolfgramm won the Pacific's only Olympic medal prior to these Games, taking silver at the Atlanta Games.
On their path to the semis, Fiji yesterday beat New Zealand 12-7 ending the All Blacks Sevens' hopes of a medal.
