Flying Fijians Overcome Captain Ikanivere’s Yellow Card to Defeat USA and Secure Spot in Pacific Nations Cup Final
Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere expressed deep appreciation for his team’s resilience following their hard-fought 22-3 victory over the USA in the Pacific Nations Cup semifinal. Reflecting on the match, Ikanivere acknowledged the personal disappointment of receiving a yellow card, which left his team to battle with only 14 players for a portion of the game.
The captain admitted that his card was not the leadership example he aimed to set but emphasized his gratitude for the way his teammates stepped up in his absence.
“I’m sure it wasn’t the best look for me, getting the yellow card and not leading by example, but I really have to thank the boys for rising to the occasion and finishing the job,” Ikanivere remarked.
He praised the USA for their strong performance, noting their evident hunger to reach the final. However, it was Fiji’s composure and determination that shone through, especially when playing a man down, securing the decisive win.
Ikanivere also highlighted the boost his team received from the Fijian fans in the stands, which added to the energy on the field. With this victory, Fiji now advances to the Pacific Nations Cup final, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between Samoa and Japan. The final is scheduled for next Saturday at 10:05 p.m.