Fiji’s national football team is making strides to prepare for the upcoming semi-final match against New Zealand in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers, set to take place on March 21. Head coach Rob Sherman has identified the need for professional footballers eligible to represent Fiji to secure their passports ahead of this critical showdown.
The team’s preparations have been impacted by the unfortunate ACL injury sustained by captain and star striker Roy Krishna, who has been a pivotal player for Fiji with over 50 caps and 44 international goals. His absence presents a challenge, but Sherman remains optimistic. He asserts that the team’s tactical approach will largely remain unchanged, focusing on creating scoring opportunities for other strikers in the squad.
Sherman pointed out that Fiji has several players competing at a professional level internationally who could significantly enhance the team if they could obtain their Fijian passports. Clubs such as Leeds United, Vancouver, Toronto, and Auckland FC have players eligible under FIFA rules for both citizenship and representing Fiji.
With Roy sidelined, attention turns to other strikers, including Sairusi Nalaubu, Setareki Hughes, Thomas Dunn, Merrill Nand, Nabil Begg, Gabriel Matanasiga, and others, who now face the responsibility of stepping up. Sherman expressed confidence in his team’s ability to score, provided they receive the right chances.
To move forward, Sherman highlighted key areas for improvement, including defensive organization upon losing possession, counter-defense strategies, and set-piece defending. These adjustments will be crucial as Fiji gears up to face New Zealand, a team considered a strong favourite.
Overall, while the injury to Roy Krishna is a setback, it has opened the door for other players to demonstrate their skills and contribute to the team’s success. The confidence expressed by Sherman in his squad’s potential underscores the resilience and determination of the Fiji football team as they prepare for this pivotal match in their World Cup journey.
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