A large training group has been put through its paces this month during a camp at the national academy in Ba and Reddy says the selection race is still wide open for a place in the 20-man squad, who will fight for a place in London at the qualifying tournament in March.
“At the moment we have a good set of 25 players that coach Imdad Ali and assistant Kamal Suwamy are working with,” Reddy says.
“They will be called back into camp during the second week of February and we will then be selecting the final squad.”
Reddy says the just-completed Champions League, which took place in Nausori last week and was won by Ba, and the upcoming National Football League offer ideal platforms for the U-23 players’ preparations.
“It’s good to see the players have been exposed to good football in the Champions League and will be again in the national league. The coaches will be selecting any other talent during this competition that they feel is capable of representing the national U-23 side.”
Reddy has also confirmed the senior national squad will likewise be called into camp at the start of next month.
“They will come into camp in the first week of February,” he says. “We still have some time on our hands with the senior side and will be looking for a strong preparation for the second stage of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,” he says.
Stage two of the Oceania qualifying process for Brazil 2014 will take place in June and doubles as the OFC Nations Cup. Fiji have been drawn in a tough-looking pool with New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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