The Fiji men’s football team, guided by coach Rob Sherman, has made a significant leap in the FIFA rankings, moving up four spots to become the second highest ranked team from the Oceania Football Confederation at 146. This is the team’s best ranking since 2011. Known as the Bula Boys, Fiji recently secured a victory against the Solomon Islands during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, enabling their rise in the standings.
Fiji now has the opportunity to further enhance their ranking with an upcoming match against Papua New Guinea next month. The latest rankings also show New Caledonia and Vanuatu climbing five places to 155 and 157, respectively, following their wins in World Cup qualifying matches. In contrast, Papua New Guinea has fallen to 171, marking its lowest ranking since 2018.
Rajesh Patel, president of the Fiji Football Association, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s ascent, attributing it to the hard work and commitment of the players, coaching staff, and the wider football community in Fiji. Patel stated, “This progress reflects the dedication and strategic efforts we have invested over the years to elevate Fijian football.”
He emphasized the importance of long-term commitment to player development, coaching, and infrastructure in building a solid foundation for growth, which is now yielding results. While acknowledging that criticism is a natural aspect of the sport, Patel stressed the importance of unity, stating, “Constructive criticism is important and helps us reflect and improve.”
Patel highlighted that the journey to success is not always smooth, but the recent improvements in FIFA rankings signify that they are on the right path. He encouraged critics to consider the new ranking as a positive sign of Fiji’s development and reiterated the need for collective support to reach the highest levels of football.
He assured that the Fiji FA is committed to maintaining this momentum and addressing areas for improvement as part of their strategic plan. Additionally, Patel expressed gratitude to the loyal supporters who have consistently backed the team.
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