FIJI under-20 football coach Rodolfo Zapata says he is looking forward and excited to his first training session with the players on Monday as the side prepares for the 2023 World Cup in Indonesia.
Zapata, who was roped in to take Fiji to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year said heading into a World Cup would be no easy feat and the fact that the Digicel-sponsored Baby Bula Boys were able to qualify, is such a great achievement. “I just can’t wait to get on the field with the boys and to kick start our training this Monday,” Zapata said.
He said Fiji would need to work very hard at the World Cup because of the tough competition they would be facing.
“I haven’t had a training session yet with the boys but for the past month, I have been watching and studying their games on video. I see a lot of raw talent out there and I’m very excited to nurture these players and bring them to their full potential.”
Zapata said he had meetings with the Fiji Football Association board members and directors to discuss their schedules in preparation for the World Cup.
“We will be having two training sessions every day for the next few months.”
The World Cup will be held from May 20- June 11 and will be the 24th edition.
“We know that it will be a very hard competition as we will be going up against the best in the world so I ask the people of Fiji to have realistic expectations from the team.”
Fiji and New Zealand will be the only two teams representing the Oceania group of islands.
“Hard work and consistency is the key to having a successful run at high standard competitions like these.”
The 56-year-old Argentinean is a former goalkeeper playing for many clubs all over his country.
He started his career in coaching in 2001 and has been doing so ever since and had just joined the FFA this year.
