OFC : Fiji Futsal Coach Khan targets opening games
Fiji Futsal coach Intiaz Khan describes his teams opening three matches of the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva as ‘crucial’ to their quest to reach the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year.
The indoor, five-a-side tournament kicks off on Saturday and the host side plays their pacfic island neighbours in its first three games and has set their sights on raking in maximum points from the opening three days play.
Khan targeted the first three games that and said that the with that momentum it would be very difficult for any team to stand in their way of their first ever appearance in football World Cup event.
“I can confidently say that if my team is able to win the opening three games, then no one will be able to 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 sides with the matched 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 teams youngest player is 18.
Waiia said he had been grooming 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 the squad at the qualifiers.
Elliot Ragomo and Jack Whetney both have experience paying 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.
Source : Oceania Football Confederation
Published : 6/6/2008
Loading ...
Recent Forum Updates