Fiji make ideal start with a dominant 5-1 win over PNG

Fiji have made a strong statement in the OFC Men's Nations Cup following a 5-1 victory over Papua New Guinea in the Group B match.

The host side displayed a dominant show over PNG in Suva as the home fans rallied behind the national team to kick off their campaign with confidence.

The Rob Sherman-coached Fijian team didn't waste time as Nabil Begg reached the back of the net within the frame of 2 minutes for a rousing start in the nation's capital.

PNG's defence line was tested numerous times as Fiji had too much pace to handle in the match.

Fiji bestowed hope to a potential semifinal run in the opening stanza as the hosts took a commanding 2-0 lead over the visitor's

PNG men's national team struggled in first half to break the spell, but Sherman's side kept them at bay despite Tommy Semmy's efforts to cross the line.

Fiji nailed a second goal through Thomas Dunn 3 minutes before break, giving the host an ideal reason for a strong outing in the second stanza.

Warren Moon needed a way to rescue PNG from a Fijian clean sheet but the hosts were on the front foot heading into the next period of the game.

Dunn was electric on the pitch as the midfielder jolted his second goal on the 52-minute mark as Fiji stretched the score to 3-0 before an own goal by PNG further brought the score to 4.

Fijian international Roy Krishna led his team well and guided them to a perfect start in the OFC campaign, got his name on the score card in the 64th minute.

Moments before fulltime, PNG international Semmy reached the net for the first time as Moon's men went down 1-5 to the host side.

PNG will avenge their loss when they meet Tahiti on Wednesday whilst Fiji takes on Samoa later in the night.