The Fiji under-16 boys’ football team is fine-tuning its tactics as they prepare to leave for the OFC U16 Championship in Solomon Islands on Thursday.
Head coach Sunil Kumar said the squad, which includes 20 local players and three overseas-based boys, has been working well together in camp.
“The team is gelling in well,” Kumar said in an interview with this newspaper yesterday.
“We had a team bonding session at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes on Tuesday morning. Our focus now is on fine-tuning our tactical side of the game and set pieces.”
The Future Bula Boys are aiming to qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup for the second time in a row.
“Our aim is to qualify for back-to-back U-17 World Cups,” Kumar said.
The tournament will run from August 17-30 and also serves as the official qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup.
Fiji has been drawn in Group A alongside Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands and Tahiti.
Earlier this week, the Fiji U16 girls’ team saw their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco come to an end after they fell short of reaching the semi-finals at the OFC U16 Women’s Championship.
The boys are hoping to produce a stronger showing and keep Fiji’s hopes alive on the regional stage.
The three overseas-based players in the squad are Koopah Singh of Ricki Herbert Academy in New Zealand, Ryan Achari of Hamilton Wanderers in NZ and Arnav Chand of Blacktown Spartans in Australia.
Kumar said the players were showing commitment and discipline in training.
“The boys know what is at stake and are working hard to make the country proud,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s first match in the Solomon Islands will be against Tahiti on Sunday August 17.
The Fiji under-16 boys running up the sand dunes on Tuesday. Picture: SUPPLIED
The Fiji under-16 boys after their training sessions at the sand dunes in Sigatoka. Picture: SUPPLIED