The Fiji men's hockey side started its Oceania Pacific Hockey Cup campaign on a high note, thrashing Samoa 14-0 yesterday at National Hockey Centre.
The win has set a platform for the national side to improve its international ranking.
National team manager Peter Blake said the side was anticipating much tougher competition against the Australian and New Zealand teams.
"It was a good match and the team is quite happy with the win. We got a few things to work on after the match," he said.
"We have much tougher competition coming up against the Australian Country, New Zeal-and Maori and NZ Barbarians.
"It will be interesting to see where we stand now after the win against Samoa."
The national side quickly ran into an early lead, combining well to maneuver around the Samoan defensive line to score some brilliant goals.
A tiring Samoan side bravely defended their goal but was unfortunate to give away a number of penalty corners which Fiji quickly converted into points. Fiji led 8-0 at the break before scoring another six goals to win the game.
In other games, played yesterday, former Black Stick Bevan Hari coach NZ Maori defeated a spirited Fiji Warriors side by 6-1. NZ Barbarians continued its winning streak and claimed another win beating Australia Country by 3-0.
In the upset of the day, defending champions Australia Country, led by Debbie Dolan, lost to NZ Maori 1-0.
The national men's team will play Australia Country at 2.45pm today while the women's faces NZ Maori at 4.30pm.
The win has set a platform for the national side to improve its international ranking.
National team manager Peter Blake said the side was anticipating much tougher competition against the Australian and New Zealand teams.
"It was a good match and the team is quite happy with the win. We got a few things to work on after the match," he said.
"We have much tougher competition coming up against the Australian Country, New Zeal-and Maori and NZ Barbarians.
"It will be interesting to see where we stand now after the win against Samoa."
The national side quickly ran into an early lead, combining well to maneuver around the Samoan defensive line to score some brilliant goals.
A tiring Samoan side bravely defended their goal but was unfortunate to give away a number of penalty corners which Fiji quickly converted into points. Fiji led 8-0 at the break before scoring another six goals to win the game.
In other games, played yesterday, former Black Stick Bevan Hari coach NZ Maori defeated a spirited Fiji Warriors side by 6-1. NZ Barbarians continued its winning streak and claimed another win beating Australia Country by 3-0.
In the upset of the day, defending champions Australia Country, led by Debbie Dolan, lost to NZ Maori 1-0.
The national men's team will play Australia Country at 2.45pm today while the women's faces NZ Maori at 4.30pm.
Source: Fiji Times Online.