THE likely 18-member Fiji under-23 team to the Rio Olympics arrived in Suva yesterday for the official Team Fiji naming scheduled at the Grand Pacific Hotel today.
Notable players missing from yesterday’s camp were striker Napolioni Qasevakatini, goalkeeper Misiwani Narube and Joseph Turagabeci. These players are believed to be dropped from the 21-member team that were camping in Ba for the past two weeks.
As expected players i camp last included evergreen goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau, Fiji soccer wonder boy Roy Krishna and tough defender Alvin Singh as the three overage players to travel with the team to Rio.
Eight players from the Fiji under-20 side that featured at last year’s FIFA World Cup under-20 squad have been included in the team. The players are rising star Iosefo Verevou, Kolinio Sivoki, Jale Dreloa, Setareki Hughes, Ratu Tevita Waranivalu, Nickel Chand, Antonio Tuivuna and Saula Waqa.
Other players who were sighted at the Fiji FA Academy in Vatuwaqa are expected to have their names announced today are Filipe Baravilala, Samuela Nabenia, Ratu Savenaca Nakalevu, Praneel Naidu, Shaneel Naidu and Sakiusa Naisua.
Fiji will face an uphill battle against three world soccer super powers in their pool games at the Rio Olympics.
The Frank Farina-coached side will face South Korea in their opening game before facing Olympics defending champions Mexico and World Cup champions Germany in their remaining pool games.
In our interview with striker Setareki Hughes, Ratu Tevita Waranivalu and Simi Tamanisau at Ba earlier this week, the trio said facing these top soccer nations would be a huge task for the players but the boys would give their utmost best in all the games and play according to the game plan set out by their coach.
Meanwhile, the official naming of the Fiji soccer team, the Fiji 7s team and the Fijiana side will be made today.
