Fiji U17 can qualify: Krishna
Digicel Fiji football captain Roy Krishna believes that the Sunil Kumar coached Fiji Under-17 can be the top finisher in next week’s OFC U17 Championship 2023 to be held in Fiji.
The championship is a FIFA World Cup U17 event that also features teams from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The matches will be held at the HFC Bank stadium in Suva and Fiji FA Academy, Ba.
“I am confident Fiji will do well, and I can see them playing in the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru from November 10 - December 2,” Krishna said.
“I wish the boys the best. I know they’ve all sacrificed a lot to be here and have worked really hard to prepare for their matches,” he said. “Let them enjoy their matches and that they make the most of this opportunity.”
The Siberia, Labasa native is urging local fans to turn up in numbers to support Fiji.
“It’s not every day U17 players get to play OFC matches at home, I would like to encourage fans to come out in numbers to support our young boys because not only are they representing Fiji but they are also playing for our future,” he said. The side featuress four overseas based players; lone Australia based player Ibraheem Afazal fondly known as Ibbu is looking forward to turning heads.
He made his career debut in football with Mulomulo Sydney Juniors at the age of five. Currently he plays for Apia FC in the National Primer League 1 in Sydney.
“No doubt hard work, commitments and sacrifices from my parents gave me a great opportunity to represent my motherland,” Afazal said.
“Indeed I am proud to be representing my families here in Mulomulo, Nadi and those in Sydney. I am very proud to be here.”
“No doubt hard work, commitments and sacrifices from my parents gave me a great opportunity to represent my motherland,” Afazal said.
“Indeed I am proud to be presenting my families here in Mulomulo, Nadi and those in Sydney. I am very proud to be here.”
Draws - Group A matches at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva. Jan 12 Fiji – Samoa at 7pm, Jan 15 Tonga – Samoa at 4pm; Jan 18 Fiji – Tonga at 7pm.
Group C - Jan 11 Tahiti – Vanuatu at 7pm; Jan 14 Tahiti – Cook Islands at 7pm; Jan 17 Vanuatu – Cook Islands at 7pm
Group B at the Fiji FA Academy, Ba - Jan 11 New Zealand – New Caledonia at 3pm; Jan 14 New Zealand – American Samoa at 3pm and Jan 17 New Caledonia – American Samoa at 3pm.