VODAFONE FIJIAN U23 EYE OLYMPIC SPOT
Vodafone Fijians Under-23 head coach Marika Rodu is confident that they are going to meet their objective by qualifying to next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Speaking during the naming of the team at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba on Friday night, Rodu said it’s being a good fight among the players as they want to make the final cut.
“I still remember that first day in February when I met you in Ba, I had no idea on who is going to make it,” he said.
“As we met again in April and now I began to feel confident of the work we’ve done. The players are ready to play good football and make their mark.”
Rodu highlighted that they are not playing in the OFC Olympic qualifiers just to make up the numbers.
“Players selected in the final team come from seven out of the eight districts in the country.
“It has being a good fight with 70 players from the first camp and with overseas-based players joining in April until now when we pick our final squad.”
The Fijians play Tonga is their pool opener at Churchill Park, Lautoka, today. “We’re ready to play on Sunday and to rock this competition when we face Tonga,” Rodu added.
The Fijian U23 side were OFC’s representative to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where they played against South Korea, Mexico and Germany in their pool games. The match kicks-off at 3pm.
FINAL SQUAD
Defender Kishan Sami and Savenaca Baledrokadroka have been given the co-captains role to lead the team.
Fijian U23- (1) Atunaisa Naucukidi, (2) Muni Shivam Naidu, (3) Jovilisi Borisi, (4) Afraz Ali, (5) Ivan Kumar, (6) Zainal Ali, (7) Rajniel Chand, (8) Joeli Ranitu, (9) Mohammed Ishtiyaq Shah, (10) Bruce Hughes, (11) Tito Vodowaqa, (12) Kishan Sami ©, (13) Savenaca Baledrokadroka ©, (14) Akeimi Ralulu, (15) Arami Manumanubai, (16) Sekove Finau, (17) Patrick Joseph, (18) Scott Wara, (19) Peni Tuigulagula, (20) Alzaar Alam.
Officials- Aiyaz Umarji (head of delegation), Marika Rodu (head coach), Anushil Kumar (manager), Anginesh Prasad (assistant coach), Shamal Kumar (goalkeeper coach), Sunil Kumar (assistant coach), Varoon Karan (physiotherapist), Nishant Kumar (physiotherapist).