Sairusi Nalaubu scored twice for the Digicel National Football team as they beat New Caledonia 2-1 in their first match of the Oceania Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Bula Boys were leading 1-0 at half-time.

A goal by New Caledonia’s Cedrc Decoire was ruled as offside but Jordan Wetria managed to equalise.

With a minute left before full time, Roy Krishna and Nalaubu combined to secure victory for Fiji, with Nalaubu’s powerful header into the top right corner following Krishna’s delivery from a free kick.

In another Group B match, New Zealand edged Papua New Guinea 1-0.

Fiji’s second match is against New Zealand on Tuesday and they take on PNG on Friday.

Two top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

The semis are on 27th March while the final will be played on 30th March.