IOSEFO Verevou’s dancing feet after grabbing his first and Fiji’s first ever goal at any World Cup meet had the thousands of fans screaming in joy in Christchurch.
Although the Fijians put up a brave performance, they found the Germans tougher opponents.
The Sunday Times dated May 31 ran a story titled Star to show form. Verevou had vowed to give all for his nation to redeem his name after being suspended last year. His goal will go down in history books.
While we may not be content with the score line, we should be proud of the performance of our junior soccer stars in such conditions. It was not easy to face Germany, a team made up of professional soccer players.
A big vinaka vakalevu to the boys for playing their hearts out although we conceded a few soft goals.
Honduras is next and Fiji faces a mammoth task, but nothing is impossible.
Iosefo Verevou, on the other hand, credited his goal to his teammate and Rewa wonder boy Setareki Hughes, whose mum passed away at the beginning of 2015. She was Seta’s pillar of strength and no doubt would have been in New Zealand to support Seta and his teammates.
Iosefo, according to his coach, Master Nathan Shivam, is a humble and down to earth soccer player who made his debut in the Rewa team at the age of 14.
He was part of Saraswati College’s winning under-15 team in the Secondary School’s IDC in 2011.
Verevou is a promising striker. With proper guidance, Verevou could be Fiji’s next sensation, likened to Labasa wonder boy Roy Krishna.
The staff, students and management of Saraswati College must be beaming with smiles. Four of their stars, including Setareki Hughes, Iosefo Verevou, Nickel Chand and Tevita Waranivalu are doing Fiji proud.
My gratitude to the teachers and the coaches of Saraswati College, Nathan Shivam, Satish Nand, Mandeep Singh and Ravinesh Singh for looking after and for moulding these future stars of Fiji soccer.
The Rewa and Suva team officials are also commended for giving these players the break of their soccer career.
Let us continue to support the boys. They need our prayers and positive criticism.
I must also thank Nemani Nadolo and his Crusaders teammates for supporting Fiji.
