And the Lautoka-based rep believes NZ will provide for a stiff challenge but said they were out for a positive start.
“The match against NZ last year was very close and we expect a similar encounter this year. The boys are raring to go and we are out for a positive start,” Hassan said.
“This will be our first match of the playoffs and a vital one for us but I can assure that the boys will give their hundred percent to make the country proud.”
Four matches will be played on match day one of the 2011 OFC Futsal World Cup playoffs. The overall champion of the eight team competition will go on to represent the
Oceania region in the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.
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
Fiji FA MEDIA
