When the going gets tough, Koro gets going
The cataract on his right eye does nothing to stop Bula Boys goalkeeper Ilisoni Koro from accomplishing his dream to represent Fiji in football.
The 16-year-old goalkeeper’s vision on that eye is blurry; this was from an injury he suffered when he was five-years-old.
The determined Wailotua, Wainibuka, Tailevu lad was named in the national Under-17 football team three months ago for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U17 championship that kicks off today at the HFC Bank stadium in Suva and the Football Academy ground in Ba.
Top two nations from this championship are going to represent Oceania in the U17 World Cup in Peru later this year.
Raised in Yalalevu, Ba, Koro attended Namosau Methodist School for primary; he will be in Year 10 this at Xavier College (XC).
He was goalkeeper for the XC U17 and U19 sides when they created history at last year’s Digicel Fiji Secondary Schools football championship. XC scooped the U15, U17, Girls and Under 19 grades.
He shares maternal links to Nawailevu, Ra.
Football is synonymous to Ba and Roko is no exception.
“My vision is blurred with my right eye but I am used to it and can manage it,” Koro said.
“My older brother and I had accompanied our father to collect firewood; and while my dad was chopping firewood my brother threw a piece of wood at me when we were playing. It hit my right eye, I’ve been partially blind the past 11 years.
“My late mother advised against having my eye operated on. I’m used to it.
“My older brother Epeli Codro taught me how to play as a goalkeeper.”
Koro is related to former national reps Peni Finau, Osea Vakatalesau, Sekove Finau and Suva’s Meli Codro. He admitted that getting a spot on the team was not easy. The three other goalkeepers on the side include New Zealand - based Areya Prasad, Savenaca Driu Nabati and Kartik Krishant Sharma.
“No pain, no Peru; that is what we are reminded by our coach every day. “We have been camping the past two months while competition for goalie is tough.
“I want us to qualify for Peru and I want to continue playing football. I am always inspired by former Ba goalie Jone Ralulu.
“My late mother used to push me to play my best, she always wanted to see me represent Fiji, I know she is with me in spirit.”
The Fijian boys take on Samoa at 7pm tomorrow at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Over the 18-day championship the participating countries will battle for a place in the quarter-finals on January 21- 22, semi-finals will take place on January 25 and the final at the HFC Bank Stadium on January 28.