After finishing second in their pool in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Digicel Bula Boys are gearing up for a high-stakes semi-final against New Zealand in March next year.

Speaking to this newspaper from New Zealand, coach Rob Sherman spoke about his team’s performance in the final pool matches against Papua New Guinea (PNG) and New Caledonia last week, offering both praise and constructive feedback.

“We set out to win both games, and we played very well against PNG,” Sherman said.

“Unfortunately, we conceded three soft goals, which was disappointing, as we dominated the game. We’ve worked on those areas, and we’ll continue to improve.”

The Bula Boys faced another challenge in its match against New Caledonia, where Sherman admitted that lack of consistency in the second half allowed the opposition back into the game.

“In the second half, we didn’t maintain our standards, and that cost us.

“If we had finished strong, we could have won and avoided a semi-final clash with New Zealand,” he said.

Despite finishing as runners-up in the pool, Sherman remains optimistic about his team’s prospects.

“Looking ahead to the semi-final, the main thing is thorough preparation. We’re planning to have potentially three camps before the game, and I’ll be speaking with Fiji FA to make sure we have everything in place.”

Sherman stressed the importance of a fitness-focused approach for the semifinal against New Zealand.

“We’re looking to get the boys fitter so that we can play the style of football we want. It’s going to be an exciting game, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Reflecting on the qualifiers, Sherman praised the team’s overall performance, especially as some key players who were suspended will return for the semifinal.

“Everyone came through the campaign well, and we’re hoping for a smooth transition as the boys return to their clubs for now.”

With the players back in their respective clubs, Sherman outlined the next steps for the team’s conditioning.

“We have a plan for the players’ conditioning during this break, and we’ll be in touch with their clubs to ensure they stay on track. It’s a concerted effort from everyone as we prepare for the big match.”

Coach Sherman is confident that the hard work will pay off when they face New Zealand for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.