A Sairusi Nalaubu double saw Fiji edge New Caledonia 2-1 in a thrilling encounter in the football World Cup Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar on Saturday morning.
Nalaubu overshadowed his star team-mate and captain Roy Krishna who only arrived in Doha 24 hours before the match. Krishna plays his club football with Mohun Bagan in India's top league.
Fiji's Atonio Tuivuna is on the ball as New Caledonia's Titouan Richard approaches Photo: Oceania Football Confederation
Nalaubu scored after only 11 minutes of the first half when the Lautoka FC striker gathered the ball on the edge of the box before he took a touch to move past the New Caledonian keeper and finish.
Despite the goal, it was even opening 45 minutes at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium with the ball moved frequently from end-to-end and with plenty of scoring chances created.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, New Caldonia's Cedrc Decoire scored but the goal was ruled offside.
New Caledonia got their equaliser on 78 minutes when Jordan Wetria headed home a cross from substitute Richard Sele.
But with a minute left in regulation time Krishna sent a free kick into the box for Nalaubu to head into the top right corner.
It's a minor upset as Fiji are ranked 162 in FIFA's rankings while New Caledonia are placed at No.153.
New Caledonia 1 (Jordan Wetria 78′)
Fiji 2 (Sairusi Nalaubu 11′, 89′)
New Zealand records its first win of the tournament
The All Whites are also off to a winning start at the Oceania qualifers with a 1-0 victory over Papua New Guinea in the curtain-raiser at the same stadium.
Substitute Ben Waine scored the winner in his first senior international game from a free kick in the 75th minute.
The Wellington Phoenix player had only been on the field for less than 10 minutes when he scored from close range.
Papua New Guinea had not played an international fixture since 2019, whereas the All Whites last played in January.
The Kapuls are ranked 165 on Fifa's ranking, more than 50 places below New Zealand at 111.
New Zealand had several chances to score late in the game but could not convert.
Fiji and New Zealand now play each other on Tuesday.
