Fiji’s U-16 Coach, Sunil Kumar, is prioritizing mental preparation and teamwork as his team approaches the semifinal match against Tahiti in the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship. With aspirations of qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Kumar shared his thoughts on the squad’s preparations, highlighting the significance of mental resilience.
Kumar mentioned the importance of making the players feel comfortable, despite being away from home, to help maintain their focus. “We’re trying to keep them engaged since they’re away from home to ensure they feel at ease, which is crucial for their emotional stability and mental preparedness,” he stated.
He emphasized the need for teamwork, saying, “My plan is to encourage them to work together as a cohesive unit. We have some individual talent, but we need to blend those skills and function as a team.”
One challenge Kumar noted is the team’s reaction to adversity during games. “We’ve created challenges for ourselves, especially when falling behind in a match. The boys tend to become anxious, so our aim is to reduce these errors. We cannot afford to make these kinds of mistakes anymore,” he explained.
Fiji is scheduled to face Tahiti tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM.