Fiji Football Association Youth Director Rajesh Patel says the overseas based players are from Australia, New Zealand and are eligible for Fiji.
He says aim was to assemble the strongest possible National side for 2011 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) FIFA U-17 World Cup playoffs in New Zealand which will be played at the Douglas Field Trust Stadium, Auckland from 8 January to 18 January.
Part of the Fiji National U-17 squad marched to camp this past Monday at the Dr. Sahu Khan National Football Academy in Ba. Patel says the remainder of the squad along with the overseas based players would join camp within the next few weeks.
“Part of the squad who has completed their exams is in camp. Other players will join the squad once they have completed their school commitments.
“We have identified some overseas based talents who have been invited for trials. The U-17 coaching staff and management will trail the overseas based with the local based players to see if they have what it takes to don the National jumper.
“Most of the overseas based especially the ones from NZ are playing full time in the winter league. The U-17 playoffs are of very important to us as it could earn us a World Cup berth and we want to assemble the strongest possible team. Our scouts will continue to look for talent both locally and abroad,” Patel said.
The U-17 squad will be full time in camp until the playoffs. Coach Hussein Sahib will be assisted by Tavua coach Kamal Suwamy and Ba’s Ravinesh Kumar.
The U-17 final team for the playoffs is expected to be finalized before the playoffs in Nz.
Fiji FA MEDIA
7 Overseas based invited for trial
