The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s was beaten 24-21 by Argentina in their second pool match of the Dubai 7s.
Argentina led 12-7 at the break.
Aminiasi Tuimaba opened the scoring for Fiji after a brilliant offload by Sevuloni Mocenacagi before Vilimoni Botitu scored his second try of the tournament to give Fiji a 14-12 lead.
Meli Derenalagi then added a third to extend Fiji’s lead to 21-12 before Argentina scored two late tries to steal the victory.
Discipline was an issue again for the side as Waisea Nacuqu and Vilimoni Botitu were both shown yellow cards for deliberate knock-ons.
Fiji will now have to beat France in their last pool match to qualify for the quarterfinal.
They play France at 4.02am tomorrow.
In other results of the second day Samoa beat Wales 31-12, New Zealand beat Canada 31-7, Australia beat Ireland 45-12, USA beat Scotland 31-21 while France beat Japan 41-5.
The quarterfinals will be held at 8.14pm tomorrow, the semifinals will be at 12am Sunday while the final will be at 4.02am this Sunday.
Fiji is likely to play either England, South Africa or Kenya if they make it to the quarterfinal, they can face South Africa or France in the semi-final and is likely to meet New Zealand or the USA in the final of the Dubai 7s.
| PLAY BY PLAY |
Fiji |
21-24 |
Argentina |
| TIME | ||
| First Half Begins! | '1 | |
| Straight off the blocks with Waisea Nacuqu with a yellow card! | '1 | |
| '2 | Argentina open their account. Conversion is good. | |
| Aminiasi Tuimaba responds to Argentina!. Conversion is good! | '3 | |
| '6 | Argentina get their second of the match but miss the conversion. We will see if that affects them | |
| Halftime 12-7 |
| TIME | ||
| Vilimoni Botitu brings Fiji back and gives us the lead!! | '8 | |
| Meli Derenalagi shows the world why he was nominated for Rookie of the Year last season off of a pass from Jerry Tuwai. Conversion is good! | '10 | |
| '11 | Argentina make use of a overlap and make an important conversion! | |
| In the dying seconds of the match Vilimoni Botitu gets himself a yellow card for knocking down the ball. Argentina's ball | '13 | |
| '14 | Argentina make use of the extra man on the outside and take the game. | |
| FULLTIME |
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