Discipline and leadership are set to be key focus areas for the Queen Victoria School Under-18 team as they prepare to defend their Vodafone Deans Trophy title against Marist Brothers High School in the quarterfinal match at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium tomorrow.
Team captain Anare Tabakaucoro shared his insights during an interview, acknowledging the strength of their opponents. “We had a normal preparation and we know that Marist is a good team,” he stated. He also expressed respect for Marist, despite their third-place finish in the zone competition.
Tabakaucoro noted the challenges he faced while integrating into the current squad, as he did not play with the team last year. However, he draws on the experiences of the previous team to guide his teammates in planning, preparation, and execution, which he credits for their previous success in securing the Deans Trophy.
“We’ll play for each other again, for our family, friends, and the old boys this year,” he added. He emphasized the team’s motivation stemming from their parents’ sacrifices, noting that some players traveled from Vanua Levu and have not seen their families in a long time. “A lot of my team members were raised by single parents, so it has been our motivation to perform well in every game that we play in.”
Despite his experience with the Fijian Warriors and the Fiji Under-20 teams, Tabakaucoro remains humble. “I always tell myself to be humble and put God first because everything that happens in my life is not about me, it’s all about God.” He revealed that the coaching staff has encouraged the team to focus on winning the title again rather than simply defending it.
On the other hand, the manager of the Marist Brothers High School Under-18 team chose to maintain a low profile and declined to conduct interviews ahead of the match.