National striker Roy Krishna, who holds the title of top goal scorer in Oceania football, is set to play a vital role in Fiji’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifiers next month. Krishna, who has been a prominent figure in Fijian football for the past 16 years, is also the country’s most-capped player.
Fiji Football’s chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, confirmed yesterday that the team has been in training following a Tri-Nations series against the Solomon Islands and Hong Kong China, where Fiji achieved a victory over the Solomon Islands and secured a draw against Hong Kong.
The Bula Boys will head to Papua New Guinea on November 9 for two scheduled matches. Yusuf noted that Krishna would arrive in Fiji on October 6 and participate in a game on October 10 before returning to India on October 12 to rejoin his team in PNG.
At 37 years old, Krishna continues to play for his Odisha club in the Indian Super League. Yusuf mentioned that seasoned players like Samuela Kautoga, Setareki Hughes, Akuila Mateisuva, alongside Krishna, are integrating with younger talents on the squad.
Yusuf also stated that coach Rob Sherman and the management team are preparing a strategic game plan for their matchup against the Solomon Islands. He expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and hopes for a winning start against the Solomon Islands.
The fixtures for the World Cup Qualifiers include Fiji versus Solomon Islands on October 10 at HFC Bank Stadium in Fiji, and matches against Papua New Guinea on November 14 and New Caledonia on November 17, both at the PNG Football Stadium.