Fiji 7s men’s coach Osea Kolinisau expressed disappointment over the team’s 10-12 loss to South Africa in the Vancouver 7s semi-final. He attributed the defeat to failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities and deviations from their game plan. Kolinisau emphasized the necessity for improvement in key areas before the upcoming Hong Kong and Singapore Sevens tournaments.
Osea Kolinisau, the head coach of the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s team, expressed disappointment following their narrow 10-12 defeat to South Africa in the cup semi-final at the Vancouver 7s. Upon returning to Nadi International Airport, he acknowledged that there were no acceptable reasons for the loss, emphasizing the team’s failure to capitalize on numerous opportunities during the match.
Kolinisau elaborated on the game plan established prior to the match, which focused on exploiting space on the wings. “We wanted to make sure the field is big enough and then keep the ball for a couple of possessions,” he remarked, indicating a desire to tire out the South African defense. He criticized the team for losing control after establishing a 5-0 lead early in the game and deviating from the predetermined strategy.
The coach lamented that Fiji had several chances to convert scoring opportunities, specifically noting, “We should have converted and finished off that game, but we didn’t.” Kolinisau highlighted that South Africa capitalized effectively on Fiji’s missed opportunities, leading to the outcome of the match. He noted that it was critical for teams to manage their chances effectively in high-pressure situations.
Despite their setback, Kolinisau believes that the team remains competitive in the standings, currently trailing Argentina and Spain by a narrow margin. He indicated that preparations for the upcoming Hong Kong Sevens would focus on improving ball possession, conversion efficiency, and overall decision-making on the field.
In summary, Coach Osea Kolinisau highlighted the missed opportunities as critical to Fiji’s defeat against South Africa in the Vancouver 7s semi-final. Despite this disappointment, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential moving forward. Kolinisau intends to focus on essential skills before their next tournaments, underlining the need for improved performance to remain competitive in the series.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
