Football Boss Yusuf Confident
Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf is confident the Baby Bula Boys can qualify for the Under-17 World Cup to be held in Peru from November 10 to December 10 this year.
Yusuf made the assurance yesterday as the long awaited Oceania Football Confederation U17 championship kicks off after a lapse of two years due to COVID-19 at the
HFC Bank stadium, Suva and at the Fiji Football Academy ground, Ba tomorrow.
The top two nations are going on to represent Oceania in Peru.
The 10 countries taking part are hosts Fiji, defending champions New Zealand, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Tahiti, Vanuatu, and the Cook Islands.
Over the 18-day championship the participating countries will battle for a place in the quarterfinals on January 21- 22 while the semi-finals will take place on January 25 and the final set for at the HFC Bank Stadium on January 28. “There is a possibility because there are two teams qualifying for the World Cup,” Yusuf said.
“They just need to go through to the final to qualify for Peru.
“The Under -20 have already qualified for the World Cup in mid-May in Indonesia.”
Yusuf added that the Fiji FA preseason transfer window opened yesterday and close on January 31. OFC U-17 Draws – Games at the HFC Bank Stadium: Group A, January 12, Fiji – Samoa at 7pm, January 15 Tonga – Samoa at 4pm; January 18, Fiji – Tonga at 7pm. Group C - January 11, Tahiti – Vanuatu at 7pm; January 14 Tahiti – Cook Islands at 7pm; January 17 Vanuatu – Cook Islands at 7pm
Group B games at the Fiji FA Academy, Ba - January 11 New Zealand – New Caledonia at 3pm; January 14 New Zealand – American Samoa at 3pm, and January 17 New Caledonia – American Samoa at 3pm.