Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s coach Osea Kolinisau expressed disappointment following their 10-12 semi-final loss to South Africa in Vancouver. He attributed the defeat to missed opportunities and a lack of adherence to their game plan. Despite being in third place, Kolinisau remains hopeful for their upcoming tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore, emphasizing the need for improved decision-making and ball possession.
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 Vancouver 7s cup semi-final. Upon returning to Nadi International Airport, he stated, “There is no excuse for losing this match.” He emphasized that the team failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities presented to them during the game.
Kolinisau noted that despite South Africa receiving a red card, Fiji lost control of the match, leading players to revert to individualistic play rather than following the game plan. He mentioned, “We talked about South Africa; they like to defend close together, and we wanted to attack them on the edges,” highlighting their strategic intention to exploit the opposing defense.
Initially, the coach aimed for his team to utilize the wings effectively to create opportunities for scoring. However, following their first try leading 5-0, the team rushed their actions instead of maintaining control. Kolinisau remarked, “We could have just stayed in control and just played to the system,” indicating a deviation from their established strategy.
The coach reflected on their failure to secure conversion opportunities, which proved detrimental in the match. He pointed out that missed chances allowed South Africa to remain competitive. “When you come to crucial time, the team that controls the game always comes out on top,” he noted, expressing dissatisfaction not only with the game outcome but also with team attitudes during previous matches.
Although Fiji currently resides in third place in their standings, Kolinisau believes they remain within striking distance of the top teams. “We are six or eight points adrift from Argentina and four points adrift from Spain,” he explained, insisting on the importance of upcoming games in Hong Kong and Singapore to regain ground in the series.
Before the next tournament, Kolinisau affirmed that the team would focus on improving ball possession, conversion of opportunities, and decision-making. He acknowledged team accountability, stating, “We lose as a team. We win as a team; that is on me as a coach.” The team intends to return to the drawing board to address their weaknesses and prepare thoroughly for the Hong Kong and Singapore Sevens.
In conclusion, Osea Kolinisau’s remarks underscore the critical missed opportunities that contributed to Fiji’s loss against South Africa. His emphasis on team cohesion and adherence to strategy reflects the ongoing challenges the team faces. Despite the setback, the coach remains optimistic about their potential in future tournaments, focusing on improvement and preparation as they approach the upcoming competitions in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
