SET HIGHER TARGET AS THEY AIM TO WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Board to decide on hiring of overseas players and number of warm-up matches, says manager Singh
The Ba Football Association has set a higher goal for this year’s Oceania Football Confederation’s Champions League. They are aiming to win and become the first Fijian club to represent the country to the FIFA Club World Cup later in the year. Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Ba Football manager Arvind Singh said the players are undergoing an intense training programme to prepare for the Champions League. “We’re confident about our chances to win the Champions League,” he said.
“The first week of training has been good and our players have showed a lot of commitment and enthusiasm.
“There were a few players who did not attend the first week of training and we expect a full squad in the second week of training.
“The first week of training showed a lot of commitment by the players and I’m positive that this kind of attitude will lead us to victory.
“We will finalise our team later in January for the Champions League. “Twenty players will be representing us and we will follow a selection process, which will be tough considering the caliber of players in the team.”
Singh said the Ba FA board meeting this Friday would decide the inclusion of overseas players for the Champions League.
“The board meeting will also decide on whether we will be playing international build-up matches as well.
“We are having a very busy schedule prior to the Champions League with three Vodafone Premier League matches lined-up for us in January.
“We will meet Nadi in our first league match in January and then matches against Lautoka and Suva.
“On playing international friendlies is something that our board will decide and we will wait for
their decision on this.”
Ba will leave the country on Feb ruary 7, for Port Vila in Vanuat where they will play their Champ ons League’s group matches. Ba ar the second Fijian team who hav qualified for the Champions Leagu after finishing behind Lautoka i the 2017 Vodafone Premier League