Mexican striker Oribe Peralta. (Photo : Getty Images)
Lowly team Fiji is set to meet the Games' reigning men's football champions Mexico at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador this Sunday, August 7 to open the second round of Group C matches in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics men's football competitions.
Fiji, who took the lone qualifying Olympic spot for the Oceania region, had a taste of world class opposition when the team was whitewashed by the Korea Republic, 0-8, in their opening game on Thursday also at the same venue.
The Bula Boys may have been taken by surprise as South Korea pounded them from all angles and head coach Frank Farina's squad were left in awe of their opponents continuous and relentless attacks.
Despite the lopsided score, Fiji should draw inspiration from goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau who persisted and made save after save even though the much-experienced South Koreans pierced his net eight times in the game, NBC Olympics reported.
Farina and his crew are expected to make the necessary adjustments to make their defense less porous, but they will be up against the mighty Mexico team and its host of star players.
Mexico settled to a 2-2 draw against fellow powerhouse Germany, though, in their tourney-opener on Thursday, as per SB Nation.
The match was even in the goalless first half as both Mexico and Germany's under-23 teams displayed the kind of defense needed to succeed in this level.
Veteran striker Oribe Peralta of Club America expectedly broke the deadlock seven minutes after the restart as he directed an assist from midfielder Michael Perez past the outstretched arms of German keeper Timo Horn.
It was then immediately equalized by Arsenal's young winger Serge Gnabry just six minutes later, but El Tri's Rodolfo Pizarro regained the lead for the Mexicans after only three minutes.
Borussia Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter provided the game's final equalizing goal at the 78th off a brilliant cross from Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt to hand head coach Raul Gutierrez's side somewhat an upset tie.
El Tricolor will be out to redeem themselves from the disappointing first round draw with the Germans while Fiji may have adjusted to the style of play in the world stage after a harrowing performance in their first game.
Still, the Mexicans are favored to win by a mile over their less experienced opponents.
The predicted result is a 5-0 romp for Mexico.
Fiji starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Tamanisau; Baravilala, Singh, Dreloa, Naidu; Tuivuna, Waranaivalu, Chand; Hughes, Verevou, Krishna
Mexico starting lineup (4-2-2-2 formation): Talavera; Abella, Montes, Salcedo, Torres; Perez, Gutierrez; Pizarro, Lozano; Bueno, Peralta
