Fiji Bula Boys Head Coach Rob Sherman has named a strong 23-member squad for next week’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers semi-final against New Zealand.
Sherman has trimmed the training squad from 27 to 23, as Nabil Begg, Samuela Kautoga, Shivneel Sharma, and Mohammed Shuiab Khan have returned home either due to injury or work-related commitments.
He says there is still some ground to make up and they will work tirelessly on their game plan.
He adds the players have made a lot of progress in their training and he is happy to have players that are eligible and fit to be included in the final squad. The team include Joela Biuvanua, Akuila Mateisuva, Jerome Narayan, Filipe Baravilala, Gabby Matansiga, Mohammed Nabeel, Semi Nabenu, Ivan Kumar, Sterling Vasconcellos, Scott Wara, Setareki Hughes, Leroy Jennings, Patrick Joseph, Brendan McMullen, Merrill Nand, Mohammed Raheem, Penisoni Tirau, Tevita Waranaivalu, Etonia Dogalau, Thomas Dunn, Sairusi Nalaubu, Epeli Valevou and Christopher Wasasala.
Sherman also acknowledged the New Zealand All Whites squad which was named yesterday.
He says the players are at a higher level and it will be a big challenge for them to play against a professional team.
The side has left this morning from their training camp base for the past 12 days in Auckland to Wellington where they will spend the next nine days fine-tuning preparations for the match.
With many of the New Zealand players only arriving into camp a few days before the match, Sherman says jet-leg won’t be a problem for their squad as they have been in the camp for several weeks.
Fiji will play the New Zealand All Whites in Wellington, New Zealand at 6pm next Friday.
In the first semi-final, Tahiti will go up against New Caledonia.
