THE Fiji national under-19 football squad is currently in the midst of intense preparations as they gear up for their upcoming international clash against the Australian Joeys.
The team kickstarted their training camp at the Fiji FA Academy in Vatuwaqa on January 6, which will continue until the game day on January 17 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Head coach Dhirend Chand is optimistic about the upcoming match, seeing it as a crucial opportunity to gauge the squad’s readiness for international competition.
He believes that this fixture against the Australian Joeys will test the players’ ability to apply their training in a competitive match setting.
“This match against the Australian Joeys is an important test for our players,” said Chand.
“We have completed a period of individual preparation, and this fixture will allow us to assess how well the players apply their training in a competitive match environment.”
He adds the final camp, and international fixture will play a pivotal role in evaluating both individual performances and the team’s overall cohesion.
“It is an opportunity to see how the players respond tactically, physically and mentally at the international level. The focus is on discipline, teamwork and building confidence as a group.”
The squad has been following structured and personalised training programmes in the lead up to the camp, with final team-based sessions now set to fine tune combinations and match readiness ahead of the Lautoka showdown.
Chand is optimistic about a strong performance from his team and urges fans and supporters to show their support on the day.
