Football minnows JIL Dreketi officials are confident of achieving bigger things this season. After finishing sixth on the Vodafone Premier League points table last season, Dreketi officials have set their eyes on finishing on the top half this time.

On Sunday at 3pm they face Lautoka in their Vodafone Premier League opener Subrail Park, Labasa.

Dreketi assistant coach Roneel Ram said yesterday that they are hoping to kick-off their campaign on a high note.

“Players have been gelling well as they begin to understand each other,” Ram said.

He pointed out that their Suva based- players have been training hard under the watchful eyes of their officials.

“Our mission as suggested by our manager Shaneel Prasad is to finish the game right to the final whsitle. Last year on a number of occasions we stumbled in the final minutes and as a result we gave those games away. This time we want to play right to the final whistle.

“Therefore this mission, we will ensure that within a game we will try to do whatever possible to get maximum points rather than sitting down and waiting for the results of other games.

“The team are currently faced with some difficulties and the officials are trying to make sure that they overcome these obstacles and prepare well for the game.”

Ram said the adverse weather condition is creating a lot of problems in their preparation but they are able to have a good turnout on a daily basis.

“We’ve also managed to get a major sponsor on board and it is Jaduram Industries Limited, so from now on we will be known as JIL Dreketi.”

Ram has called on their supporters to come forward and support them this season.

“We have a much better team this season. The players have been working very hard under the watchful eyes of coach, Johan Leewai.

Leewai said they are blessed to have a new set of officials and is looking forward to working with them.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

shratika.naidu@fijisun.com.fj