The striker has been out of action with a long-term injury and did not take part in Fiji’s Pacific Games campaign in New Caledonia last November. But he made his return to top level football for Ba in the Champions League this month and helped the Men in Black to a title triumph.
His comeback is now almost complete after being included in the national fold again but there is still work to be done as the squad will be reduced further for the second stage of Oceania qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in June.
Vakatalesau will not make his return under the guidance of Yogendra Dutt though as the coach has stepped down from his post in charge of the Fiji national side.
“U-23 coach Imdad Ali will temporarily take charge of the senior squad for the first training camp as Yogendra has withdrawn,” Fiji FA vice-president and national team director Tarunesh Reddy says.
National under-23 squad members such as Esava Samudere, Archie Watkins, Peniame Drova, Akuila Mateisuva and others will join the senior training squad later after completing their commitments with the Olympic team.
“This is not the final squad. The plan is to bring these players into camp for the coaches to work with them and it will be a good opportunity to see where we stand. My request is for the district associations to support us in preparing a strong side,” Reddy says.
“We have left out the U-23 players from the first training camp as we want them to concentrate on the Olympic qualifiers which is the main priority at the moment.”
The Oceania qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics will take place in March while the senior Fiji team will have its first camp from February 6-10 at the national academy in Ba.
Fiji national men’s training squad
Goalkeepers:
Simione Tamanisau (Rewa)
Benaminio Mateinaqara (Nadi)
Jone Sorolo (Lautoka)
Defenders:
Alvin Singh (Ba)
Jone Vesikula (Ba)
Lorima Dau (Rewa)
Samuela Kautoga (Amicale, Vanuatu)
Taniela Waqa (Hekari United, Papua New Guinea)
Avinesh Waran (Ba)
Posiano Kalisito (Rewa)
Ilaitia Tuilau (Hekari United, Papua New Guinea)
Manueli Kalou (Ba)
Samuela Vula (Suva)
Apisai Smith (Suva)
Peni Finau (Lautoka)
Rajenesh Chand (Navua)
Midfielders:
Malakai Tiwa (Ba)
Pita Bolaitoga (Hekari United, Papua New Guinea)
Arvindra Naidu (Lautoka)
Epeli Saukuru (Rewa)
Shameel Rao (Lautoka)
Sanjesh Kumar (Savusavu)
Jone Vono Junior (Lautoka)
Alvin Avinesh (Lautoka)
Kelepi Qaqa (Navua)
Strikers:
Roy Krishna (Waitakere United, New Zealand)
Maciu Dunadamu (Hekari United, Papua New Guinea)
Nathan Shivam (Suva)
Osea Vakatalesau (Ba)
Tuimasi Manuca (Ba)
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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