Bula Boys Fight Back for Crucial 3-3 Draw in World Cup Qualifier

The Fiji national football team, known as the Bula Boys, battled hard to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw against Papua New Guinea in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifier in Port Moresby on Thursday evening.

The result keeps Fiji's hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Papua New Guinea started strong, taking an early 1-0 lead just two minutes into the match. Joseph Joe capitalized on a loose ball in the box to put the hosts ahead.

Fiji responded in the 29th minute when Setareki Hughes sent in a perfect cross for Thomas Dunn, who headed the ball past the Papua New Guinea goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Just before halftime, Papua New Guinea regained the lead.

Ati Kepo scored an acrobatic goal to make it 2-1.

In the second half, Fiji equalized again in the 57th minute when captain Roy Krishna calmly converted a penalty to make it 2-2.

With just two minutes remaining in the match, Papua New Guinea went ahead once more.

Raymond Gunemba scored a powerful header to put the hosts 3-2 up.

However, Fiji wasn't done yet. In the dying moments of the game, Merrill Nand scored a crucial header to earn Fiji a 3-3 draw.

The result keeps both teams' semi-final hopes alive, with Fiji still in contention for a spot.

Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, will need to defeat the Solomon Islands on Sunday and hope for other results to go in their favour.

Fiji will now turn their focus to their next match as they look to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Oceania qualifiers.