The Digicel Baby Bula Boys are bracing themselves for a bruising encounter when they face Tonga in the OFC Under-17 Championship tonight at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva.
A win for Fiji will see the home team top their pool and remain in contention for one of two spots to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru later this year.
Fiji had won its first match 3-0 against Samoa, while Samoa beat Tonga 6-0.
“Preparations have been going well. We had a few injuries before and after our first game and the players have recovered,” Fiji coach Sunil Kumar said.
“We’ve seen Tonga play Samoa. They look to be a physical side and at times looked dangerous on the counterattack.
“Tonga will come out firing because there’s a quarter-final spot at stake, so we expect them to be strong.
“This Tonga match is very important to us so we are taking this match very seriously.”
Tonga is coached by former Suva football rep Lui Muavesi. The match kicks off at 7pm.
Tickets are $5. There is free entry for children under-10.
