Fijian footballers have graced the world stage on only a handful of occasions – Roy Krishna was the first when he appeared at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 and at Morocco 2013, where he scored for Auckland City FC in a 2-1 defeat to Raja Casablanca, he was the standout player.
Now an entire generation readies itself to take the next step of the journey at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015. Fiji coach Ravinesh Kumar guided Fiji’s U-20 international team to victory in the OFC U-20 Championship back in May, but before he and his young heroes start dreaming about World Cup glory, they must tackle Amicale and Busaiteen at the OFC President’s Cup.
“The OFC President’s Cup is a dress rehearsal for the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year in New Zealand. We will be playing four games in Australia, two with Hyundai A-League opponents, and then Amicale and Busaiteen for the OFC President’s Cup.
“It’s all useful preparation and we hope to do the same come the U-20 World Cup next year,” he says.
Fiji U-20 take on West Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets before facing a New South Wales Academy side and a Fiji Australian selection on their short Australian tour.
Kumar, though, has his eye on a long game.
“We have seen Amicale play in the OFC Champions League and they have the services of some of our local players but we do not know anything about Busaiteen other than they are a professional outfit.
“It will be exciting to play a professional club side as we will be meeting similar types of teams at the U-20 World Cup next year,” Kumar says.
While there is always the risk of losing preparatory matches with more vaunted, more experienced, opponents, Kumar is keen to remind anyone who listens that New Zealand 2015 remains the focus of everything his charges do.
“Results at the OFC President’s Cup will not matter. We are focussed on our team and player performance.
“Our ultimate goal is our performance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and a tournament like the OFC President’s Cup allows us to measure ourselves as we continue on our pathway toward next year,” he says.
Kumar’s intense fixture schedule and high quality opponents should produce some long nights analysing video footage but to offset the hard work he has experience he can turn to in the shape of former Socceroos boss, Frank Farina.
Farina joined the set-up six weeks ago and the one-time OFC Player of the Year is no stranger to pacific islands football, having been brought up in Papua New Guinea and coaching their national side at the OFC Nations Cup in 2012.
“This opportunity came out at a good time for me when I finished with Sydney FC in the A-League and a proposition was put forward by OFC and Fiji FA to assist the Fiji U-20.
“Interestingly this is the first time Fiji has qualified for a FIFA World Cup event and it will be interesting to help and be part of it,” Farina says.
While Kumar is happy for Farina’s technical input, he’s also very aware of what he and his youngsters need to do to reach the next level – positivity.
“Our team is currently in camp going through various training sessions and will also be playing some warm up games. We’ll be taking a very positive approach towards this campaign,” Kumar says.
Fiji U-20 arrive in New Zealand on 12 November.
Their first match in the OFC President’s Cup is on 17 November when they face Amicale at The Trusts Arena at 7.30pm.
They play their second match with Busaiteen on 21 November at the same time and venue.
The OFC President’s Cup playoffs take place two days later.