Soccer situation

THE soccer situation in Fiji is in dire need of improvement. Our national team is finding it hard to beat teams like New Caledonia, the Solomons and Vanuatu.

Our U23 soccer team, which composed of some of the best talents from the districts, lost to Vanuatu (1-0) and got thrashed by NZ (6-1) during the Olympic qualifiers. Our local clubs are struggling to keep pace with local clubs from the region when it comes to the OFC O-League playoffs.

No club from Fiji has won the O-League title.

Now the focus shifts to the IDC and I’m sure competition will be stiff. People from all walks of life will crowd Prince Charles Park to support their districts and hence, may the best team win.

On the other hand, the soccer situation in Manchester is in shambles. Manchester United, with a host of star players, is struggling and is finding it hard to beat minnows. Ole Gunner is taking United down the drain and the days of Sir Alex will never come back.

Whenever I talk about Fiji’s soccer situation, I think about Manchester United and the equation balances and I stop thinking about soccer. Case closed! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

Picture: REINAL CHAND Fiji goalkeeper Mohammed Alam misses a through pass from New Zealand’s Ben Waine to his captain Logan Rogerson who misses the opportunity to score during the semi-final of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier 2019 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Picture: REINAL CHAND Inset: Fiji defender Scott Wara wins possession from New Zealand’s Ollie Whyte during the semi-final of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier 2019 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.