For four members of the Fiji U19 Men’s National Team, tonight’s journey to Samoa will carry an extra special meaning — it will be the first time in their lives they have boarded an aircraft.
Junior Bula Boys Head Coach Marika Rodu revealed the remarkable story while outlining the journey behind the selection and preparation of his squad for the OFC U19 Men’s Championship.
Rodu said the four players were proof that Fiji Football Association’s search was not based on reputation or previous international exposure, but on identifying genuine talent wherever it could be found.
“We have four players who just made their new passports and are boarding the plane for the first time,” Rodu said.
“So, we’re not just looking for experience, we’re really looking for talent. Four players will get on the plane for the first time. That’s how far we are going.”
For the quartet, their first-ever flight will be in national colours, travelling with the Junior Bula Boys on a mission to qualify Fiji for another FIFA U20 World Cup.
Rodu said the final squad emerged from an extensive identification programme which attracted hundreds of aspiring players.
He said around 150 players attended trials around Fiji, while he also travelled to New Zealand for a two-day trial involving 52 players, including footballers who had travelled from Australia, the United States, Dubai and Canada.
The selection process went through five phases before the final squad was confirmed.
“The players that are sitting here today are the players that have survived the trials, they have survived the competition and they are the ones standing here ready to represent the country,” Rodu said.
The Junior Bula Boys squad features a mixture of locally and overseas-based players with different levels of football experience.
Nine players are overseas-based — six from Australia, two from New Zealand and one from Canada — while nine members of the squad have experience playing in Fiji’s top-flight Extra Premier League.
Four players are also members of the professional Bula FC setup, while one player was identified from the Senior Division.
Rodu said this showed that opportunities remained open to players regardless of where or at what level they played.
“We are not only looking for players at one level. We are happy to identify talent from the other divisions as well.”
The squad also contains two players retained from Fiji’s 2024 U19 squad and seven players who were part of Fiji’s U17 setup, giving Rodu confidence that there was a good blend of experience and emerging talent.
“Across the board, we have a mixture of boys with experience, and I think we have the confidence to deliver the goods when we start playing on the second.”
Rodu stressed that the ultimate dream was FIFA U20 World Cup qualification, but said the Junior Bula Boys could not afford to look beyond their opening assignment.
“The dream is there, but we have to start with Vanuatu first. The focus is on Vanuatu.”
He said loyalty, humility and the willingness to be coached had been important factors throughout the selection process.
“We come from different football experiences. There are four from Bula FC, one from the Senior Division, nine from overseas and four will make their first trip.
“Humbleness is key for us to make sure that we remind ourselves that we are one team.”
After six weeks of intensive preparation, Rodu believes his players are ready for the challenge awaiting them in Samoa.
“The boys have trained well and I can say they are well-equipped in terms of preparation.”
He also thanked the parents and families for placing their trust in the coaching staff and supporting the players throughout the demanding preparation period.
The Junior Bula Boys leave Fiji tonight for Samoa, with four youngsters experiencing the unforgettable feeling of boarding a plane for the first time — and all 23 travelling with the same destination in mind: the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Fiji opens its campaign against Vanuatu at 11am on September 2, before facing New Zealand at 3pm on September 5 and Tahiti at 11am on September 8.
