He promises to do his utmost best to make his dream a reality come the 2011 OFC Futsal World Cup qualifiers which starts next Monday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
“My aim at the futsal playoffs is simple, to go out there give my hundred percent to see Fiji qualify for the futsal World Cup. I want to go to Thailand and we have a very good chance to earn a spot.” Raju said.
“Last year I was dropped from the training squad but this year I have been presented with a chance to go out there and prove myself.”
The Navua based player earlier this year was part of national beach soccer which participated in the 2011 OFC beach soccer championship in Tahiti.
Raju will make his debut for the national futsal side alongside Nadroga and former national Under-20 rep Eron Underwood.
The overall winner of the 2011 OFC futsal championship will go on to represent the Oceania region in the 2012 Fustal World Cup.
2011 OFC Futsal Playoffs fixtures
Group A: Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Vanuatu
Group B: New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tuvalu
Dates: May 16 – 20
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva, Fiji
Monday 16 May
1pm Tahiti vs Tuvalu
3pm Vanuatu vs Kiribati
5.30pm Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia
7.30pm Fiji vs New Zealand
Tuesday 17 May
1pm Kiribati vs New Zealand
3pm Tuvalu vs New Caledonia
5.30pm Fiji vs Vanuatu
7.30pm Solomon Islands vs Tahiti
Wednesday 18 May
1pm New Caledonia vs Tahiti
3pm Tuvalu vs Solomon Islands
5.30pm Kiribati vs Fiji
7.30pm New Zealand vs Vanuatu
Thursday 19 May
1pm 7th/8th Play-off
3pm 5th/6th Play-off
5pm Semi Final – 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B
7.30pm Semi Final – 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A
Friday 20 May
5pm 3rd/4th Play-off
7.30pm Grand Final
