SUVA: The Fiji Football Association has named their national under fifteen team to take part in the forthcoming Northern Ireland Milk Cup from 18-24 July in Belfast. The team was selected from a recent national competition and for the past weeks have been in camp at the Dr MS Sahu Khan Football Academy in Ba.

After a lengthy selection process, the final cut was made this week to the final travelling 18 players. Ba and Rewa dominate the selection with four players each from their districts.

The Fiji delegation will be led by Sheik M. Ibrahim and coached by Farouk Janeman. Norman Lambert, who was recently involved in the OFC Indigenous Senior Coaching Licenses courses in Auckland, has been named Assistant Coach. Fiji FA board member Rajendra Singh is the manager.

Fiji has been drawn to play two Irish teams in their opening matches of the Milk Cup next month. Placed in the junior (under fifteen) section of the prestigious youth tournament, Fiji will play County Armagh of Northern Ireland on 19th July then Shelbourne of the Republic of Ireland the following day. Depending on the results of those matches, Fiji will then play seeding games on 21, 22 and 23 July 2004 to find their final ranking.

Two other teams from the Oceania region are also taking part; the Parramatta Eagles (Australia) in the juniors and Otago (New Zealand) in the premier section.

It will be Fiji’s first appearance at the Milk Cup, one of the world’s top premier youth tournaments where players such as Everton’s Wayne Rooney and Real Madrid’s David Beckham have graced centre stage. Samoa represented the OFC last year with Otago from New Zealand also participating.

Fiji is also confirmed to take part in the Ian Rush Soccer Tournament from 25-30 July following the Milk Cup. The team will depart straight for wales after their final match in Belfast.

The team leaves for Northern Ireland on 16 July.

According to OFC Acting General Secretary, Tai Nicholas, he is pleased that the Oceania Football Confederation is again associated with assisting youth national teams from the region getting further exposure abroad by taking part in such a prestigious tournament.

“We are proud in continuing our links with the Milk Cup as it provides the opportunity for young footballers in our region to get a taste of football at a higher level,” he remarked.

FIJI NATIONAL UNDER 15 TEAM
NAME DISTRICT NUMBER POSITION
Nishad Wasim ALI REWA 1 Goalkeeper
Marika QALOCAVA LAUTOKA 18 Goalkeeper
Deepak Rohitesh PRASAD BA 2 Sweeper
Kaushik Navneel KUMAR REWA 12 R/Back
Esava Samudere NAQELECA SUVA 5 C/Back - Midfield
Kunal Kritesh CHAND REWA 4 C/Back - R/Back
Muni Krishn CHANDIRAN BA 13 C/Back
Krishneel DUTT NADROGA 6 R/Back
Ravineel Shiva LINGAM REWA 3 L/Back
Sekope Koroi TUILOMA SUVA 14 L/Back - C/Back
Mitieli Namuka CAUCAU LAUTOKA 8 C/Link - Striker
Sumeet Kartik KRISHAN LABASA 15 C/Link - R/Link
Shoeb Nur ALI LAUTOKA 9 L/Link
Isikeli WAQANILIVA TAVUA 17 L/Link - L/Back
Samuela Tunabutu NAQIO SUVA 7 R/Link
Simione HARAVANUA BA 10 Striker
Maciu Rakuita TUILAU NASINU 11 Striker
Lavneel Ronil PRATAP BA 16 Midfield - Striker

MANAGEMENT

Sheik M. IBRAHIM TOUR LEADER

Farouk JANEMAN COACH

Norman LAMBERT ASS/COACH

Rajendra SINGH MANAGER