Juan Carlos Buzzetti will be using the Fiji Airways Wellington Phoenix pre-season tour as a build-up for the 2015 Pacific Games next week.

The Fiji Football national coaching director said this was not only a testing ground for the players but it was a chance to see how well the Fijians performed against teams who played top level football.

“This is a great opportunity for our players and a great way for us to see how they perform,”he said.

This is because we do not have a fixed set of names that will be going to the Pacific Games,” Buzzetti said.

“Our main aim is Pacific Games and this is a good time to see how well each individual play their part in the team.

“We have two goals that we want to achieve, firstly, to get gold in the Pacific Games and secondly, to qualify for the Rio Olympics in Brazil next year.

“So this tournament will aid us in preparations to achieve that goal. Also, this might be a once in a life time opportunity for our seniors and U23 because who knows, one or two players may be picked to trial for the Phoenix team.”

With the Vodafone Fijian U20 players joining the side in camp yesterday afternoon in Ba, Buzzetti said the mix would strengthen the team.

“The first thing we did in camp was talk to the players and having them all together as a team is really good,” he said.

“We don’t have to worry about trying to gel the players together because these boys know or play against each other in the Rewa Galaxy Premier League.

“The best thing is, they understand each other and because of that they will improve together as a team and work together.”

The Wellington Phoenix Premiers team arrives into the country on Thursday along with the Wellington Phoenix team and will travel to Suva ahead of their match on Saturday. With less than 10 days until the Pacific Games, Fiji will face Vanuatu, Micronesia and Tahiti in their pool which Buzzetti said will be an interesting matchup.

“Micronesia will most likely be the weakest team out of the three but then again this is football so no team can be underestimated.

“Tahiti is not a member of the International Olympic Committee so they will not be taking part in the Rio Olympics, so the battle will most likely be between us and Vanuatu.

“But I am confident in the boys because they have showed a lot of improvement since we have been together but for now, players are excited about their game on Saturday.” Match details: Saturday (ANZ Stadium) 2.30pm Fiji U23- Wellington Phoenix Premiers; 5.30 Wellington Phoenix- Fiji

June 30 (Govind Park, Ba)3pm Fiji U23- Wellington Phoenix Premiers, 6pm Wellington Phoenix -Fiji.

Feedback: jutine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj