JUSTINE MANNAN
SUVA

The Tailevu/ Naitasiri soccer team will rely on their youths to help them win the Fiji Sun Skipper Tuna Viti Levu/Vanua Levu playoff against Savusavu at Ratu Ganilau Park this Sunday.
Coach Tagi Vonolagi said they brought in their youths last year to develop them for this year.
“Last year we didn’t do so well in our games and it didn’t help with our players leaving to play for other teams,”Vonolagi said.
“And so we brought in youths and developed them and now we are doing better than last year.”
The coach for the last four years said they have a solid team in place with players eagerly attending training which shows how committed they are.
“The attitude of the boys and their willingness to play are really good,” he said.
“I think that is why we have been doing well. I’ve told the boys if rugby teams can train early in the afternoon, then why can’t we.”
Vonolagi expressed how important winning their away game is.
“It’s the away goals that count more than the home goals.
“We hope to do well in Savusavu.”
Vonolagi hopes the team gets support from sponsors for this game.
“We don’t have any sponsors as our own officials have been supporting the team all along.”
Even though the team is injury free, Vonalagi hopes the trip to Savusavu will be good.
“Most of the boys have not travelled by boat before or been to Savusavu, so I am hoping that this trip does not leave the boys seas sick.”
The team leaves for Savusavu on Saturday morning and the winner from the Viti Levu/Vanua Levu playoffs will progress to the Super Premier division.
The game kicks off at 1.30pm at Ratu Ganilau Park, Savusavu.

justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj