Courtesy: Fiji Times


Khan to target opening games

by INDRA SINGH

Friday, June 06, 2008

THE Fiji FUTSAL five-a-side soccer team is hopeful it will be able to win its opening three matches against New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to qualify for the World Cup.

The host side plays the Pacific Islands neighbours in its first three games and has set its sights at raking in maximum points at the Vodafone/OFC FUTSAL competition.

Coach Intiaz Khan said if his players win these games, it would be hard for any team to stop their qualification for a first ever appearance in a football World Cup event.

"I can confidently say that if my team is able to win the three games, then no one will be able to stop us from making the World cup," Khan said.

"So positive results in the first three matches is our initial strategy."

The inclusion of Lautoka midfielder Alvin Avinesh and Navua's Siga Ali has been a major boost.

"The two combined well with the other players making us become a stronger unit," Khan said.

The former Suva rep has been able to assess his side with the matches played against local teams.

"It has been improving daily and I am happy with the progress," he said.

Suva defender Mira Sahib and Rewa striker Kamal Hassan are contenders for role of skipper in the week-long tourney.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands coach Victor Waiia said they were prepared to take on their opponents.

"We are going for our best and we will treat each match seriously, one at a time ," Waiia said.

Solomon Islands will go into this tournament with the youngest senior team ever.

The team's youngest player is only 18.

Waiia said he had been grooimg these boys since the under-12 level and after many years in the sport, they could do it.

There are two players in the team who will boost performance at the qualifiers.

They are Elliott Ragomo and Jack Whetney.

The duo have experience playing in the high profile European and Australian Futsal leagues.

Waiia said most of their members were from the team that participated in the Australia National Futsal Championship in January this year in Canberra.





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com