Coach awaits missing 2

National football goalkeeper Ben Mateinaqara and striker Samuela Drudru did not train with the Ba team last week.

This was confirmed yesterday by Ba head coach Ronil Kumar who has expressed his concern on the players not turning up for training.

The duo represented Ba in the OFC Champions League early this year.

“Training has started since the gathering restrictions had been lifted,” Kumar said.

“Not all the senior players are present, but the number is picking up. Ben and Drudru are yet to join camp. The youth players are now training full force with the side.”

In the first round, Ba pipped Rewa 1-0 at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.

Ba are expected to play their second match of the Vodafone Premier League against Navua.

They did not play their other games because they were playing in the OFC Champions League.

“I do understand there has been a long break but we have only played one match so far in the league,” said Kumar.

“We will be playing four games in eight days. We expect injury and fatigue to affect our players.”

Transfer Window Opens

The 2020 mid-season seven-day transfer window opened yesterday.

Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf confirmed that the transfer window period was revised and passed by Fiji FA Board of Control.

“The mid-season transfer window will be from July 1-7, subject to the approval from FIFA Transfer Matching System,” said Yusuf.

He said this Transfer Window would open only for free transfers which means any player having an ongoing contract with their districts cannot apply for a transfer. “This was applied for in the TMS system and is subsequently approved,” he said.