Almost but not quite for Fiji U20 soccer heroes

WHANGAREI – Fiji’S dream run was crushed with a 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan in its final pool FIFA U20 World Cup soccer game in New Zealand on Sunday.

Two quick goals by Uzbekistan in the 62nd and 63rd minutes of play led to the downfall of the Fijians, but the South Seas Islanders have won the hearts of Fiji fans and head coach Frank Farina for their gallant performance throughout the tournament, the Fiji Times reports.

Farina said the Vodafone Fiji under-20 players were disappointed with their final performance and this showed the character of his gallant troops against top soccer nations.

“The boys were very disappointed and I said to them it is a very good thing because it shows they are hungry and competitive and the belief they could do something,” he said.

“But they will get over it. They are young men and they will get better. “I was really proud with the way the boys performed and held themselves and to have a chance with one game to go is possibly going through was a dream unfortunately the dream did not come true.”