RECOVERY will be critical for Extra Bula FC in circuit three of the OFC Pro League given that they will be playing four matches with only two-days rest in between each game.
Their first match of this round is on Sunday against Vanuatu United, followed by Wednesday’s game against Hekari United. Bula FC then play the Solomon Kings FC next Saturday and South Island United on Wednesday, March 3.
For fixtures as such, head coach Stephane Auvray will be rotating injury-free players in the team.
“We have four games in Australia which is a lot because we only have two days of recovery in between. Just like the one we’ve done for the last one, if you remember the game against PNG Hekari and Melbourne, all the players that did not start game one, started game two so we will remain with the same logic. Recovery is very short so everybody will play.
“Everybody must play; it is so important. Even at training, we always mix the teams, players play with different partners. We want to make sure that everybody can gel well with anybody so when its game time, you can put anyone in their zone, in various positions and there’s no issue. I think that most of the players understand that there is no starter, everybody has a chance to play,” he said.
Four players including Gabiriele Matanisiga will miss out on this rotation having nursing and recovering from respective injuries.
Matanisiga, according to Auvray, has an issue with his back while Ryan Naresh, Delon Shankar and Veleni Rasorewa are recovering well.
“Ryan was getting to his optimal shape but unfortunately got injured in New Zealand for a few weeks. Veleni who is much younger and could bring a lot to the team is still coming back from injury and we have Delon as well.”
Sunday’s match between is scheduled to kick off at 1pm at the Olympic Village in Melbourne, Australia.
