“WE want these boys to go and compete for their country with honor, showcasing their talents and establishing their football careers successfully at an early age.”
Those were the words of Fiji under-15 boy’s assistant coach and manager Johan Leewai as the team continues its preparations for the upcoming OFC U15 Boys Youth Development Tournament in New Zealand.
It was originally a 40 players squad, but it was trimmed down to 23 players after an intense two-week trial that took place earlier this month.
The selected players are in a training camp at the Fiji football academy in Ba, undergoing intense preparations under head coach Marika Rodu.
Rodu is leading the squad through two training sessions daily as the young footballers work on their technical and tactical abilities.
The team’s focus is on sharpening their understanding of the game and adapting to different match situations.
“One of the qualities we are looking for in the boys is for them to be fast learners, anticipating and understanding situations in technical and tactical practices,” Leewai said.
With less than a month remaining before the tournament, the squad remains in high spirits, with players bonding well at camp.
“The general atmosphere is quite good, with the boys blending in well with each other,” he added.
The final 16-member squad that will travel to New Zealand will be announced on April 7, a week before they depart for the tournament.
Fiji will be aiming to leave a mark on the regional stage as they test themselves against some of the best young talents from across the Pacific.
Meanwhile, the tournament is scheduled to take place from April 15 to 23.
