The FIFA International “A” Friendlies Tri-Nations Series serves as a vital preparation for the Digicel Fiji Bula Boys as they approach the World Cup qualifiers in October. Head coach Rob Sherman emphasizes the importance of not just winning, but also of ensuring that the team reflects the cohesion and execution of the strategies they have practiced during training sessions.
The squad has been in training camp for two weeks, with most players having experience together from previous tournaments, including the OFC Men’s Nations Cup earlier this year and the Pacific Games in 2023. The 26-member squad features a few new additions, such as Australian-based goalkeeper Jerome Narayan and Nadi’s Rahul Krishna.
Sherman stated, “We want to perform well and win both games, but more importantly, we want to execute our game plan and continue to improve for the World Cup qualifiers.” This series provides an essential opportunity for the players to prepare mentally, and Sherman plans to assess his players closely to identify those who will be pivotal in the qualifiers.
“Having two matches against different opponents allows us to solidify our strategies and mentally prepare the players for the upcoming October qualifier,” he added. Fiji is set to face the Solomon Islands in their first match tomorrow at 7 PM at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, with both teams placed in Pool A for the upcoming World Cup qualifier.