Fiji Football Association President Rajesh Patel has challenged the Junior Bula Boys to believe in themselves and become the third Fiji U20 side to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Speaking during the official presentation of the Fiji U19 Men’s National Team ahead of the OFC U19 Men’s Championship in Samoa, Patel expressed confidence in the players selected to carry Fiji’s hopes in the qualifiers.
“You will do it. We have got a mission that we have decided to take, and out of so many players and after so much talent identification and preparation, the coaches have selected you to represent Fiji in the U19 team,” Patel said.
“To achieve that goal of qualifying for the World Cup, you have got to understand there will be pressure, but you will be the third team that will qualify for Fiji for the U20 World Cup.”
Patel reminded the players of Fiji’s previous successes at this level and said the current generation now had an opportunity to write its own chapter in the country’s football history.
“You have to know within your hearts — can you do it or not? You have to be confident and make sure that what the coaches have taught you, you apply it on the field.”
Patel also urged the players to enjoy their football rather than allowing the pressure of qualification to overwhelm them.
“When you love the game of football and when you enjoy the game, there won’t be pressure. You play because you enjoy the game.”
He stressed that teamwork would be crucial to Fiji’s campaign in Samoa.
“Football is played with 11 players on the field. It is not an individual game. You have to play together and that is how you win together.
“You can’t be selfish. You assist each other. It doesn’t matter who scores because when we score, it is not you as an individual — it is Fiji that has scored. And if we win, it is Fiji that has won.”
Patel also acknowledged the important contribution of the players’ families, including parents who had travelled from overseas to attend the team presentation.
“To the parents, thank you very much for giving your time and allowing your kids to be here with us. There is no separation between those from overseas and those who are local. We are all Fijians and we are proud to be Fijians.”
He said considerable work had gone into identifying and preparing the squad, with players assessed both locally and overseas before the final team was selected.
Patel ended his address with a clear challenge to the Junior Bula Boys.
“Go and prove in Samoa that you are the team to beat and qualify for the World Cup.”
The Junior Bula Boys will compete at the OFC U19 Men’s Championship in Samoa, which serves as Oceania’s qualifying tournament for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
