Coach Cole upbeat T/ Naitasiri in the hunt for players
WITH 16 days remaining for the 2022 Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Nations Cup, the Digicel Fiji team is not letting its guard down.
Fiji coach Lisa Cole says it’s going to be a tough competition.
“We understand it is not going to be an easy show as we are grouped with the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, so we are preparing accordingly,” Cole said.
“We don’t know what is the strength of the two teams as they have played for the last two years. We will do our best as we are not letting any stone unturned to prepare.
“Fiji has played both the teams in the past and we know how strong and determined they are.
“The qualifiers will pose a huge challenge, at the same time, it will grow the football knowledge of these girls.
“Every team will come hard on us because we are the host nation.
“We have not played Test matches games internationally like the other teams. We did play, but it was just recently against school teams in Australia.
“So we’ve been really just focusing on ourselves and putting together our best effort.
“And I think if we do that, we come out hard and we play well then the game should take care of itself.
“We don’t currently have GPS available within the program. That’s something we would like to have but we don’t currently have that,” she added.
The Fiji v Solomon Islands match will kick off at 7pm on July 14 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
THE Tailevu Naitasiri and Nadi football sides will be looking for players to strengthen their sides when the transfer window opens next month.
Nadi registered a hard fought win 1-0 win over Tailevu Naitasiri in round 10 of the Digicel Premier League at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Sunday.
Solomon Islands marksman Jaygray Sipakana was the toast of the Jetsetters as his first-half strike made all the difference.
Nadi coach Viliame Toma said the boys played well.
“I am happy with results, but I guess we have to work more on some of the areas to compete with other teams,” Toma said.
“Our aim is to finish on top, for now and we will work hard for that.
“We have a very young team, but the players played their hearts out and we are happy with the three points.”
Toma said the second round of the competition would be very competitive.
“We all know the second round of DPL is very competitive and important to all the teams so I guess our team management have eyed some players who will be joining us and I am sure those players will bring in some experience and will fill in the positions we lack,” said Toma
Tailevu Naitasiri coach Nigel Khan said his players played well, but needed more urgency.
“We missed a lot of opportunities but it was not our day and not the result we expected,” Khan said.
“We missed five of key players due to injury but overall I think we played well but Nadi scored a goal and they won.
“Everyone knows well I believe in local talents but I think we will be getting some players in the transfer window to be keep ourselves in the top competition.
“Our aim remains to stay in the Premier Division and achieve that I think we need some experienced players so we have are in talk with some players and let’s see how it goes.”
All in One Builders Nadi remains in fifth spot but now have 16 points while Tailevu Naitasiri remains in the bottom three and has seven points after 10 outings. Tailevu Naitasiri will face Nasinu on Sunday at 11.30am in triple-header at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.