THE year 2015 could down as one of the best for the Fiji Football Association.
This is simply due to two reasons- the impressive performance at the FIFA under-20 World Cup in New Zealand and then under-23 team qualifying for the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
The Vodafone Fiji U20 players won the hearts of many of their critics with their outstanding performance in the tournament with Rewa striker Iosefo Verevou becoming the first player from Fiji to score a goal against Germany.
The team may have not spent a lot of time with their coach Frank Farina but the team’s result had many Fijians bursting with pride. In particular, the surprise 3-0 win over Honduras.
The side only needed a win against Uzbekistan to qualify for the quarter finals but we will have to wait another four years after the team lost 3-0.
With the performnce still fresh on our minds, the under-23 team qualified for the Olympic Games under the reigns of former coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti a month later.
Fiji created milestone achievement after the side defeated Federated States of Micronesia 38-0 in the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Fiji led 21-0 at half time.
The previous record was set by Australia when they scored 31 goals against American Samoa in the World Cup qualifying match.
But the final was not without drama. New Zealand was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. This saw Fiji meeting Vanuatu (which had earlier lost 2-0 in the semi final to the All Whites).
The winner was declared on the penalty schoot-out after the scores were locked at nil-all.
Fiji under-20 captain Jale Dreloa after an instrumental performance in the FIFA U20 World Cup took Fiji to the Rio with his shot from the penalty spot.
It was a turning point in the history of Fiji football.
Some say the result could have been different had New Zealand played but the fact remains that Fiji has qualified.
If anything the performances has spurred renewed determination within Fiji FA.
Chief executive officer Bob Kumar in an interview earlier said they have plans in place.
“The people of Fiji should support Fiji Football Association and look at it in a positive way,” he said.
“There have been many critics but not putting solutions.
“However, we do take their concerns and most of the concerns were our non-participation at international friendlies but we have started playing.”
Kumar said they are always open for any suggestions from the general pubic which they would take into consideration.
“We needed a lot of resources which was not easy to get to play in an international friendly. We do have a system in place now and we need positive support from our supporters and our friends,” he added.
“If we are going wrong anywhere then they should be able to tell us where we are going wrong and we are here to listen to them.”
This year also marked the appointment of former Socceroos’ coach Frank Farina as the national football coach for the next two years.
Farina was appointed national coach in October and he’ll be taking team to the Olympic Games in Brazil.
He took over the coaching job from Buzzetti whose four-year term ended. The Fiji FA board decided not to renew his term as they wanted to head into “a new direction”.
Farina upon taking up the job said he wanted Fiji to be the dominant footballing force in the region.
He earlier told Times Sport that a national curriculum had to be put in place with certain rules and regulations.
“There needs to be an implementation of the coaching mythology for development,” he said.
“There are centres of excellences in place. We want to see Fiji being the strongest nation in Oceania. That is not a dream but is a possibility.
“Fiji has to be the dominant force in Oceania and we need to be able to realise that vision.”
He said the team structure had to be same.
“You have to start with youth development and coach development,” he said.
“The team playing style, team structures, these have to be passed on to the coaches as well. It will not happen overnight.”
Farina coached national side to the two international friendlies against Vanuatu which ended in a draw and a loss.
Meanwhile, with the Fiji FA having a busy international calendar, in the local scene teams were battling for a top finish.
Two of the most expensive teams Suva and Lautoka found the going tough in the season failing to score tournaments wins.
The local football season started with Ba and Suva playing in the Pillay Garments Champion versus Champion series with Ba winning.
The Babasiga Lions roared the loudest in the first tournament of the year beating Rewa 2-0 in the final of the Vodafone Fiji FACT at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Rewa came out determined and defeated Ba 2-0 in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament at home.
When it all seemed that Ba’s bad days would continue for yet another year, they surprised their loyal fans triumphing in the Courts Inter District Championship after beating Nadi 2-0.
Nadi took out the Galaxy Premier National Football League.
The future of the football looks bright and let’s see what other success 2016 bring.
