The CommBank Joeys have started their PacificAus Sports Football Tour 2026 on Saturday with a well-deserved victory against a determined Fiji U-19 side. Goals in each half from Max Court and Joey Sikora saw Australia’s U-17 team take a 2-0 victory over the older opposition
Australia almost had the perfect start when Fiji’s goalkeeper, Usaia Tamaniqio fouled Malik Olukhale in the opening minute, with the referee awarding a penalty. Tamaniqio made-up for his error instantly, saving to his right with Olukhale unable to convert his own spot kick.
The next 20 minutes saw positive signs from the Joeys with Australia finding themselves in the front third consistently, but without being able to convert the final pass or shot. Of note was Olukhale’s first time strike, forcing a save from Tamaniqio following positive build-up play from Aston Reid and Court.
Reid was causing problems for the Fiji defence, finding himself between lines and driving into space. It was this exact situation which led to the opening goal with Reid’s mazy run leading to a free kick after getting cut down just outside the box.
Court made no mistake with the set piece as the ball flew past the outstretched hands of Tamaniqio and into the left-hand corner of the net.
Fiji were not without their chances. Having started the game testing out Australia’s press and attempting to play-out, they quickly adjusted to quick counter-attacks, winning several corners and forcing Australia’s defenders into uncomfortable clearances.
It was one such corner in the shadows of half time which saw the Junior Bula Boys almost equalise, with goalkeeper Mitch Bright coming to Australia’s rescue in his national debut with a class of the highest quality. Fiji’s captain, Ibraham Dean, lost his marker in the box and would have made the Joeys pay if it wasn’t for the outstretched fingertips of Bright.
Fiji maintained their momentum at the start of the second half, almost capitalising from a defensive turnover but Valeni Rasorewa’s side-foot flew over the crossbar in what was ultimately Fiji’s final chance of the match.
Australia doubled their lead mid-way through the second stanza when a sustained period of pressure and territory finally broke through. Centre forward Georgio Hassarati dropped deep to receive the ball, turned into space and rewarded the forward run of Sikora who took his touch across the defender and finished clinically to the back post.
Head coach, Carl Veart, commended the team on how they handled themselves against older opposition, difficult conditions, and with new faces.
“I was pretty happy with the performance: we’ve brought some new boys into the squad and especially for the first hit-out the boys had some excellent passages of football,” said Veart.
“I’m happy because it’s always difficult when you’re playing older players and on a pitch that’s so heavy. It was important that the boys kept the ball moving, kept their discipline, and played our football that we wanted to play. When we did that, we created some excellent opportunities.”
Veart praised the concept of the PacificAus Sports Football Tour 2026 and highlighted how this prepares the team for FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification.
“All international games help you prepare, help develop bonds and help improve understanding between the playing group. The players get also get further opportunity to understand what, as a coaching group, we’re looking for from them as well.
“Every game that they get to play together just builds more of those little stepping stones.”
The Joeys now travel to Solomon Islands on Sunday for a two-match series against the island nation’s U-19 team.
Matches are Tuesday 20 January (6pm SBT/AEDT) and Saturday 24 January (4pm SBT/AEDT) and will be broadcast live and free on the Football Australia YouTube channel.
