Marika Rodu, the head coach of Digicel Fiji Junior Bula Boys, has set his sights on reaching the final of the OFC Under-19 Championship in Samoa. Rodu expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and their mental state heading to the tournament. The team will face substantial competition in Group A, which includes significant regional football teams from Tahiti, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
The coach reiterated their central plan, stating, “We have a process, and our ultimate goal is to make it to the final.” Rodu believes that leading their pool would increase their chances of progressing to the semi-finals, strengthening their positioning towards a potential slot for the world championship next year.
The team, which includes nine players promoted from U17 to U19 and some senior players, creates a strong and healthy team environment, Rodu stated. He argued that the participation of some players in the DPL added a layer of maturity to the squad.
The team plans to start off strong from their first match against Tahiti this Friday, anticipating no easy victories. The team’s subsequent matches will be against Solomon Islands on July 8 and Vanuatu on July 11. The team departs for Samoa today.