THE Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship is providing national selectors with an opportunity to uncover a pool of untapped talent capable of making the step up to represent Fiji.
Fiji Secondary School Football Association president Aminesh Ram said several players had caught the eye during the opening day of competition in Labasa.
Mr Ram said the tournament had exposed a number of players who had not previously received the same attention as those from established football schools.
“There are a number of good, untapped talents who, if given a chance by the national selectors, could go a long way,” Mr Ram said.
National selectors are monitoring matches across the five venues in Labasa as they search for players with the potential to progress to the national level.
He said the quality of football being displayed had made the championship an important platform for talent identification.
“There is a lot of raw talent out here.”
He said the performances of players from smaller schools had also demonstrated that talent could be found beyond the traditional football powerhouses.
He said over the last two days several lesser known teams have challenged established schools during the tournament.
“The national talent identification team is closely following the competition and could identify new players for future national squads.
“I am sure there will be a few new names added to the national squad.”
He said players would need to maintain their form and consistency throughout the championship if they wanted to attract the attention of selectors.
He said the championship’s role went beyond determining school champions, with the development of future national players also an important outcome.
The competition has brought together 41 teams from Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, providing a wide pool of young players for selectors to assess.
Results day two: Under-15: • AD Patel 2–0 All Saints Secondary, • Nadi Sangam 1–2 Vunimono High, • Rishikul Sanatan 0–2 Central College, • Labasa College 1–1 Tavua College, Under-17: • Labasa Sangam 1–1 DAV College,
• Vunimono High 0–1 Labasa Muslim, • Vunimono High 2–2 Central College, • Nadroga Arya 0–3 Ba Sangam College, • Penang Sangam 0–1 Labasa Muslim, Under-19: • Labasa College 0–0 Nadi Sangam, • Shree Guru Nanak Khalsa College Labasa 3–1 MGM, • Tilak High 1–0 Xavier College, • Vunimono 5–0 Ratu Navula College, • Suva Muslim 4–1 Labasa Sangam, • Ba Sangam 2–0 Labasa Muslim, Open Grade- Girls: • Nukuloa College 2–0 Lekutu Secondary, • Vunimono High 0–4 Nilsen College, • Bucalevu Secondary 0–2 Suva Muslim, • Labasa Sangam 1–2 Pt Vishnu Deo, • Lautoka Central College 0–0 All Saints Secondary, • Labasa College 2–0 Nakasi High, • Nadi Sangam 0–1 Ba Sangam, • Waiqele College 3–1 Rampur College
