The Fijian Under-23 Olympic squad has made an impressive start in their preparation for the OFC Olympic qualifiers with three wins from three games on their tour of
Australia.
The Fijian side began the tour on a winning note with a 3-2 victory over Brisbane Olympic last Tuesday.
Fiji were powered home by Nadi-based midfielder Uraia Loki who scored their first two goals before Ba playmaker Malakai Tiwa clinically deposited the third.
Fijian coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti called for an improvement on finishing and fitness following the opening game.
“It feels good to make a winning start but we still have a lot to work on. Though we scored three goals we still missed numerous other goal scoring opportunities which could have
given us a comfortable win.
“We also have to work on our defence and our fitness level. The players slackened down in the end resulting in us conceeding two goals. We have to stay focused until the final
whistle.”
The Fijian players answered the coach’s call in their next two games demolishing Brisbane Strikers 4-0 and Palm Beach selection 5-1.
Labasa Striker Maciu Dunadamu scored twice against Palm Beach along with goals from Rewa’s Alvin Singh, Suva’s Alvin Prakash and Leone Damudamu of Tailevu Naitasiri.
Their final match is against the Palm Beach Football Club on February 5.
The national side faces top seed New Zealand in its opening fixture of the Oceania playoffs. Fiji will take on the Kiwis on March 1 and then finish off the round robin
competition playing Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.