Team aims to top pool

FIJI Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf says their aim for the OFC Olympic Qualifiers in Samoa this week is to finish at the top of their pool.

Yusuf said while the task may not be easy, he believed their young side in the tournament had what it takes to achieve this target.

“We have a very young side, but we are adamant that they have what it takes to be able to finish on top of their table,” Yusuf said.

“While our main goal is to qualify for the Olympics, we are taking the tournament a step at a time and our first step here is to finish on top of our table.”

The side features a few players from the national under-20 and under-16 sides, with a handful of players from the team that competed at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November last year.

“Unfortunately, we have some of our key players like Trina Davis who couldn’t join our side for this qualifier, but we are still adamant that the team has what it takes to get the job done.”

The side left the country yesterday for Samoa and will play their opening match of the tournament against American Samoa tomorrow.

“The girls are all in high spirits, they left for Samoa today and they are all just settling in now before they prepare for their first game tomorrow.”

The Kulas have been placed in Group A alongside Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and American Samoa.

Meanwhile, Group B features New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu.

“They will also be playing their second game against Papua New Guinea which will certainly be an exciting match to watch.”