Germany subjected Fiji to an 8-1 thrashing to spoil the tiny Pacific nation’s Under-20 World Cup debut yesterday as Honduras prevailed in a seven-goal thriller over Uzbekistan.
A record 28 goals – 12 more than the opening two days of the tournament combined – flowed from the four matches in New Zealand, which also saw Brazil and Hungary emerge easy winners in two Group E scoring sprees.
With their men’s senior side ranked a lowly 196th in the world, Fiji’s youngsters were justifiably proud of qualifying for the 24-team tournament but were given a baptism of fire in Christchurch after 18 minutes of stout resistance.
Hany Mukhtar enjoyed a hat-trick with two first-half goals and a penalty after the break, while Niklas Stark and Marc Stendera each netted twice.
For Fiji, Iosefu Verevou wildly celebrated his second half consolation goal.
“This game, that goal, meant so much for the country,” Fiji coach Frank Farina, a former Australia boss, remarked.