The Fiji men’s football team, under the guidance of coach Rob Sherman, has risen four spots to rank 146th, making them the second-highest ranked team from the Oceania Football Confederation. This marks their highest position since 2011.
Known as the Bula Boys, the team secured their place in the rankings after defeating the Solomon Islands in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They have an opportunity to further improve their ranking by overcoming Papua New Guinea in a match scheduled for next month.
The latest rankings also feature New Caledonia and Vanuatu, who both climbed five positions to 155th and 157th respectively, following victories in their World Cup qualifying matches. However, Papua New Guinea has continued to drop in the rankings, now sitting at 171st, which is their lowest mark since 2018.
Rajesh Patel, president of the Fiji Football Association, expressed his happiness over the team’s ranking, crediting it to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaching staff, and the entire football community in Fiji.
“This progress reflects the dedication and strategic efforts we have invested over the years to elevate Fijian football,” Patel stated.
He emphasized that this achievement is a result of long-term commitments to player development, coaching, and infrastructure, highlighting that a solid foundation has been laid for future growth.
While Patel acknowledged that criticism is a natural part of the process, he stressed the importance of unity. He stated, “Constructive criticism is important and helps us reflect and improve.” However, he also reminded that the journey to success is often filled with challenges.
Patel believes that the team’s recent rise in FIFA rankings is a clear indication that they are on the right path and serves as motivation for their vision for the future. He called on critics to view the ranking as a positive sign of Fiji’s progress and reiterated that advancing to higher levels of football requires collective support.
He reaffirmed the Fiji FA’s commitment to building on this momentum and addressing areas for improvement as part of their strategic plan to elevate the standards of football in the country. Patel also took a moment to thank the loyal supporters who have consistently backed the team.
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