OFC role for our ‘Wonder Boy’
FIJI’S Roy Krishna was chosen as Oceania Football Confederation ambassador. This is a huge achievement for our Wonder Boy who will take on the role and participate in social media campaigns and activities aimed at fostering the game in the Oceania region.
Krishna, who is flying Fiji’s flag with his scintillating performances for ATK Bohun Bagan in the Indian Super League, is set to captain the Bula Boys at this year’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Qatar.
Krishna is a hero. He is a role model for local footballers who are vying for an international contract.
He has been a fantastic brand ambassador. Passion, discipline, dedication, commitment and determination are part of Krishna’s career, and for our local footballers to emulate his success, they’ll need to incorporate these qualities in their football career.
Born and raised in Labasa, before heading to New Zealand to start his journey towards a professional contract, Krishna is proof of what can be achieved from grassroots levels of football in Oceania.
He serves as an inspiration to young players the region over. This is what OFC General Secretary Franck Castillo said about Krishna: “Roy is a great example of what can be achieved through football in Oceania and it’s wonderful to have someone of his calibre onboard. We’ve witnessed him grow as a player and become a leader. He is a great example for up-and-coming players”.
FFA CEO Mohammed Yusuf echoed similar sentiments: “Roy continues to rip up the record books on a weekly basis. He is definitely blazing towards an Oceania legend status. Roy has just been rewarded for his talents and showcasing his abilities as a professional footballer”.
Roy made his debut for the national team as a U20 player in 2007, and then he joined the Bula Boys from 2008 onwards. He started playing for Labasa when he was 21.
He played for the Babasiga Lions from 2008 to 2011. During that time, he started playing for Waitakere United which played in the top New Zealand league, the New Zealand Football Championship. During his off season he would return to Fiji and play for Labasa.
Roy played a vital role for the Gurjit Singh coached Babasiga Lions who won the 2011 Courts IDC football tournament. The Babasiga Lions beat Ba 1-0 thanks to Maciu Dunadamu’s powerful screamer.
In the six seasons that Roy spent with Waitakere United, he managed 55 goals in 75 appearances, and he won the Golden Boot in the 2012-13 football season. In September 2013, Krishna joined Auckland City FC for the upcoming season, and he scored City’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Raja Casablanca in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.
With that goal, he became the first Fijian player to score at the final of a FIFA tournament. The following year, Roy signed with Wellington Phoenix. He made a mark, scoring a goal against Melbourne Heart. His performance in the match earned him the A-League’s player of the week honors.
In 2016, he was named as one of the three over-aged players of the Fiji under-23 team for the Rio Olympics, alongside Simi Tamanisau and Alvin Singh, and he scored Fiji’s lone goal against Mexico. Krishna’s goal was Fiji’s first ever goal in the Olympics.
In 2018, Roy was named Phoenix Player of the Year and his fourth-round goal against Brisbane Roar was deemed the team’s Goal of the Year for the season. 2018 was special as Roy became the outright leading goal scorer for the Phoenix, overtaking the previous leader Paul Ifill.
Roy was pleased with his performance before he left Wellington Phoenix- winning the Johnny Warren Medal and the Golden Boot in his final year was the icing on the cake. Roy surprised fans, when he signed a deal with ATK to play in the Indian Super League.
He made headlines as he scored a hat-trick against Odisha FC, ending his first season in ISL as the top goal scorer with 15 goals. His scoring spree helped ATK to their third ISL title. Following the 2019-20 season,
ATK merged with Mohun Bagan to form ATK Mohun Bagan. Roy extended his contract with the club for a further season, and he was confirmed as the club’s captain.
He helped his team finish second in the league and he won the Golden Ball Award for contributing 22 goals in 23 games. Roy is an integral part of ATK Mohun Bagan, and he helped his side edge FC Goa 2-1 in their clash at the Fatorda stadium in Goa.
Liston Colaco and Krishna scored stunners for the Mariners before Jorge Ortiz picked what would turn out to be a late consolation for the Goans courtesy a blunder by rival goalkeeper Amrinder Singh. The win took Bagan into the top four with 14 points from eight games.
Roy continues to amaze fans with his talent and goal scoring abilities. He has been blessed with a beautiful wife and baby. Roy has made All Saints Secondary School, Siberia, Labasa and Fiji proud. He is turning heads. Will there ever be another Roy - only time will tell.
Until then, wishing Roy all the best for his new role!
RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.