The Fiji men’s football team, coached by Rob Sherman, has risen four places in the rankings to become the second highest-ranked team from the Oceania Football Confederation, now sitting at 146. This marks their best ranking since 2011.
Known as the Bula Boys, Fiji recently surpassed the Solomon Islands in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, contributing to their improved position. The team has an opportunity to further enhance their ranking with a match against Papua New Guinea next month.
In the latest rankings, New Caledonia and Vanuatu have also seen advancements, moving up five spots to 155 and 157, respectively, after successful World Cup qualifying matches. Conversely, Papua New Guinea has continued its decline, falling to 171, marking its lowest rank since 2018.
Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel expressed his joy at the team’s ranking, highlighting it as a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by the players, coaching staff, and the broader football community in Fiji.
“This progress illustrates the dedication and strategic efforts invested over the years to uplift Fijian football,” Patel stated. He further emphasized the importance of long-term commitment to player development, coaching, and infrastructure, noting that the foundation for growth is proving effective.
Though acknowledging the presence of criticism, Patel stressed the importance of unity. “Constructive criticism is essential as it allows us to reflect and improve,” he said. “However, we must also understand that the journey to success is not always linear, and challenges will arise along the way.”
Patel views the team’s recent ascent in FIFA rankings as a positive sign of progress and urged supporters to maintain faith in their vision for the future. He called on critics to see the new rankings as an indicator of Fiji’s advancement and reiterated that collective support is crucial for reaching the highest levels of football.
He committed to leveraging this momentum to address areas for improvement as part of a strategic plan aimed at raising the standards of football in Fiji and expressed gratitude to the loyal supporters who have consistently backed the team.
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