Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel has praised the Vodafone Fijian Under 23 squad for qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

This is after the Fijians defeated Vanuatu 4-3 on sudden death penalities during the Olympic qualifier on Sunday,

“We are very happy and proud of the achievement that the Fijian U23 team has accomplished,” Patel said.

“This is the first time that Fiji has qualified for two world events in a row and we are just so excited because this is very positive for us.

“This is also a realisation for critics that we know what we are talking about when we say that development takes time and that you need to be patient.

“We have had a handful of critics over the months and years and they need to understand that development takes time, and these set of boys are the future of football because they have gone through the proper development process.

“Results cannot be produced in one day and that is why we have asked people to be patient.”

With the Vodafone Fijian U20 playing in the FIFA U20 World Cup and now the Vodafone Fijian U23 qualifying for Rio, Patel said it was a major boost for football in the country.

“Our Rewa Galaxy Youth League has already started and we have seen massive interest from the youths and that really speaks volume,” he said.

“With the growing interests, this will build the sport even more in the country.”

Patel confirmed the promised reward of $50, 000 would be given to the team as they have qualified for the Rio Olympics.

“This is something that boys will be rewarded with as they have achieved it and I’m very proud of them.”

He thanked the players and team officials for their hard work and commitment to the task.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Fiji FA chief executive Bob Kumar.

“This is the first time ever for the Fiji football team to qualify for the Olympics, we are very pleased and this is the evidence of all the development works that we have carried out,” said Kumar.

Kumar said preparation would start soon and they would make every effort to prepare the team well for the Rio Olympics.

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