All Whites down Fiji

 By HENRY MORABANG
NEW Zealand coach Anthony Hudson was satisfied with the result after the All Whites defeated Group B rivals Fiji 3-1 to get their OFC Nations Cup campaign off to the best possible start at Sir John Guise Stadium on Saturday night.
“We’re very pleased; today was all about getting a win,” Hudson said.
“It was important that we got a win here today. They caused us problems, especially (Roy) Krishna. We know all about him, he’s a great player.
“I was pleased that we showed a great togetherness, resilience.
“We had a few things going against us, but we did well today,” he said.
In the other game on Saturday, the Solomon Islands edged past their Melanesian rivals Vanuatu 1-0 to complete proceedings on the opening day at Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium.
The All Whites went into their game against Fiji as hot favourites and it took them just 16 minutes to take the lead through Themistoklis Tzimopoulos.
The opening goal came as a result of some good lead-up play by New Zealand captain Chris Wood, who forced a reflex save from Fiji’s goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau, before Tzimopoulos tapped in the rebound.
Led by captain Roy Krishna, the Fijians tried to get back into the game but rarely tested All Whites keeper Stefan Marinovic.
In the 41st minute, New Zealand doubled their advantage courtesy of veteran striker Rory Fallon, who pounced on another close range rebound to make it 2-0.
Fiji did manage to pull a goal back before the break, following a foul on Setareki Hughes inside the penalty box.
Captain Krishna stepped up to convert from the penalty spot to end the first half at 2-1.
New Zealand looked to control possession and territory in the second half and their patience paid off in the 61st minute when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Alvin Singh inside the box.
Wood restored the All Whites’ two-goal cushion with a low shot that snuck past a diving Tamanisau.
Fiji pushed forward, looking to close the gap, but the All Whites held firm to record a comfortable 3-1 win.’
Krishna, standing-in for coach Frank Farina, who was refused entry last Thursday due to visa problems, said his side was unlucky not to get something out of the game.
“In the first-half, we had most of the possession and we had more chances. They had two chances and they scored so credit goes to them.  It’s always enjoyable to play against New Zealand and I’m proud of my players — though the results did not go our way.
“I know I scored one but it wasn’t enough. If we’d won it, that would have been a happy ending, but that is football for you and we move on.”