Fiji football coach Christophe Gamel was encouraged by the performance of his players in a 2-0 loss against Estonia but was left to reflect on what could have been.
The world's 80th ranked team went in front in the 14th minute in Lautoka on Sunday and added some gloss with a second goal just before the final whistle.
Fiji were missing star striker Roy Krishna as well as half a dozen local-based players and Christophe Gamel had been concerned his team might be outclassed by a team ranked 95 places higher.
International matches have been hard to come by for Fiji. Photo: OFC Media
The Frenchman said they conceded a goal in the first quarter of an hour because the team was afraid of their opponents but they improved and ultimately missed a big opportunity.
"A lot of people they are happy about this result but I think we have not to be happy when we lose" he said.
"Last night I didn't sleep a lot because I was really disappointed we could have had a better result, we have worked on that.
"Yes that is a really positive work because I go through so many problems before - 2-0 it is ok but it is not enough. It is not enough because even if Estonia are ranked a lot higher than us a game is still a game...at the end what do you remember?
"It is the result and the result is 2-0. We can be satisfied about the plan and how we played but not the result."
Estonia are touring the Pacific. Photo: Fiji Football
Christophe Gamel said some of his players have only played six or eight games together and are still new to international football so coming up against a team battle-hardened from European World Cup qualifying was a big step.
"We have seen the difference between professional and amateur because when we had some occasions unfortunately we didn't score (and) when they had the one or two occasions they scored," he said.
"The draw would have been, to be honest, good for us for the achievement of all the work (we put in) but the result is what it is...I hope that in the future we continue to perform consistently because it was a very interesting game."
Estonia continue their tour of the Pacific against Vanuatu on Thursday and New Caledonia on Sunday, while Fiji is hoping to host India and play some games in Asia in March.
