The Fiji men’s football team, coached by Rob Sherman, has made a significant leap in the FIFA rankings, climbing four spots to 146, making it the second-highest ranked team from the Oceania Football Confederation. This achievement marks their highest ranking since 2011.
Known as the Bula Boys, Fiji secured their improved position after defeating the Solomon Islands in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They have an opportunity to further enhance their rankings by winning against Papua New Guinea in the upcoming match next month.
In the latest rankings, New Caledonia and Vanuatu also experienced gains, moving up five spots to 155 and 157, respectively, following their victories in World Cup qualifying matches. Conversely, Papua New Guinea has continued to drop in the standings, now sitting at 171, which is their lowest ranking since 2018.
Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel expressed his happiness with the ranking, highlighting it as evidence of the hard work and dedication shown by the players, coaching staff, and the broader football community in Fiji.
“This progress reflects the dedication and strategic efforts we have invested over the years to elevate Fijian football,” Patel remarked. He emphasized the importance of long-term commitments to player development, coaching, and infrastructure, acknowledging that these efforts have laid a solid foundation for growth.
While Patel recognized the inevitability of criticism, he stressed the importance of unity. “Constructive criticism is important and helps us reflect and improve,” he noted, while also stressing that the road to success can be challenging.
The recent rise in FIFA rankings serves as a clear indicator that Fiji is on the right track, according to Patel, and should encourage belief in their vision for the future. He called on critics to interpret the new ranking as a positive sign of Fiji’s progress and reiterated that achieving the highest levels of football will require collective support.
Patel committed to continuing the momentum and addressing areas that need improvement as part of their strategic plan to enhance the standards of football in the country. He also expressed gratitude to the dedicated supporters who have consistently backed the team.
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