KHELVIN Engineering Lautoka FC has been dealt a blow ahead of the upcoming tournament after striker Veleni Rasorewa was suspended by Fiji Football.
Lautoka FC president Shalendra Prasad confirmed to The Fiji Times that the club had received notification from Fiji Football that Rasorewa had been suspended for breaking camp during the Fiji U19 programme.
“This is disappointing news for us. He is one of our deadly strikers and now he is suspended,” Prasad said.
“However, we welcome the decision by Fiji Football. Veleni was part of our 22-member squad.”
The Men in Blue have been in camp for the past five days under the guidance of their new coach, Solomon Islander Batram Suri.
“The team has been in camp for five days and has been training daily and trying their best,” Prasad said.
The 2024 Battle of the Giants champions expect a tough competition, with Prasad saying the side is not underestimating any of its opponents.
“It will be a good competition. We do not underestimate any team. All teams are good, and it will be a good competition come the weekend,” he said.
New coach Batram Suri will guide Lautoka FC into BOG and IDC in Suva next month. His playing career included representing the Solomon Islands and featuring for Nadi FC in Fiji.
He has since coached Solomon Islands age-group national teams and club sides, including Ifira Black Bird and Galaxy FC from Vanuatu, and most recently guided Galaxy FC at the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League held in Fiji.
