Critics made us stronger: Buzzetti November 20, 2008
Fiji soccer coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti says the negative criticism and publicity about him and his brigade motivated them to give the best for the nation against New Zealand All Whites in the dead FIFA World Cup Qualifier last night.
With critics completely writing off the host nation due to superiority and consistency of the All Whites, Buzzetti and his warriors defied all odds to send the Oceania champs packing with a handsome 2-0 victory.
“People did not give us much chance but we proved our worth on the field and registered a famous win for Fiji which will be remembered for some time, he said.
“Despite not having the best preparation for the game, we managed to match the much fitter and stronger opponents in all aspects of the game and came out victors in the end.
“I had told the players to give in their best for the nation and the people who are hungry for a win and am glad they just did that and played their hearts out.
“A lot of young players were given the break in the match and they really lived up to expectation.
“Majority of the players in the squad were in the 20-25 age group and their performance was really up to standard.
“Beating New Zealand is not easy as they are always laced with quality players that are competitive in their domestic competition and have international exposure as well like featuring in the Olympics and the FIFA World Cups in the age group level.
“The win has laid a good platform for the new season as we will try to continue from where we ended this season.
“We have an effective development program for the next five years and are expecting to pull in more upsets against the bigger nations in the near future.
“There wont be any celebration for the win as the players have all gone back home to join their families for the festive season” added the Uruguayan native.
Fiji ended its 2010 World Cup Qualifier with two wins, a draw and three losses.
The side lost to New Zealand 0-2, Vanuatu 0-1, New Caledonia 0-4, beat Vanuatu 2-0, New Zealand 2-0 and drew against New Caledonia 3-3.
Fijilive
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comments on this story
nilsfj
Wednesday, November 19 2008
This means he admits they all were lazy bums until the critics came and woke them up. Its a long way to go my friend. I congratulate you and the boys for a victory against All Whites but you have to be consistent. I would say get some matches lined up against neighbouring islanders and prove your worth. All the best. I must thank you for your professionalism to understand that critics are there for good for improvement of any sport. Not like the FFA President who threatens to take legal action against anyone who speaks the truth to take soccer forward in the country.
rrokocoko
Wednesday, November 19 2008
Buzzeti, please open up Fiji Football's historical archives and you'll see that in the 80's Fiji was beating New Zealand at will and New Zealanders believed that Fiji was favourites to beat Australia for the 1990 world cup qualifiers, and Fiji did win the first game 1-0. Please don't tell us this is a historical win, Fiji has done a lot better before. You have to be joking about winning a game in which new zealand had 80% possession, played with only 10 "B grade players" and this was a meaningless game. Don't fool us and take credit for a fluke win. You couldn't get us past New Zealand from Oceania-its time to pack up and head back to Montevideo, and take sahu with you.
david1005143
Thursday, November 20 2008
Congrats, fiji specialy the players. Its a long way. Imagine a president running organisation for 20 years without a win from a single nation and lsing to the ones we used to defeat by basketball scores. So not yet guys, we not more of it. We cant even win Melenesian cup!! lol
2KOOLRAJ
Thursday, November 20 2008
ITS NICE FOR FIJI TO WIN BUT THEY SHOULDNT GET TOO CARRIED AWAY WITH THIS RESULT AS THE GAME WAS MEANINGLESS AND FIJI ONLY COULD SCORE WHEN NZ WERE DOWN TO 10 MEN.
THEY SHOULD WIN WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS AND UNDER ANY CONDITION. NO USE IF THE FIREBRIGADE ARRIVES AFTER THE HOUSE HAS BEEN BURNT DOWN.
fj420
Thursday, November 20 2008
wow, now Buzzetti may think he can win world cup. Mr Buzzetti we defeated a 10 men NZ side and it's just one win after some many games, nothing much to get excitted about.
sikababe
Thursday, November 20 2008
Should the NZ got their full team, Fiji would have been thrashed. U should Praise Anand Sami and Bal Sanju Ready and Labasa Soccer Team for their efforts to build and support Roy to get this standard. Buzzetti u are being critizised and will be criticised in the future. U are just hopeless. Dont talk to much. Go and pay ur tribute to Labasa Soccer Team for giving u such a talented soccer player.
May God Bless Roy
Rav
X Labasian
praneetss
Thursday, November 20 2008
Great achievement, beating a bunch of college kids. What was NZ's incentive to win this match? Zero. There is no record of this guy ever playing in Uruguay.
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