Dream Come True: Nalaubu
They both hail from the province of Macuata but did not have the chance to play together in the same team.
The country’s top striker Sairusi Nalaubu finally got the chance to play alongside Roy Krishna when they represented the Digicel Fijian football side to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar.
It was the Group B opener against New Caledonia last Saturday, when Roy set-up Nalaubu to score twice in their 2-1 win.
“It was my dream to play alongside Krishna especially on international stage,” he said.
Roy hails from Siberia while Nalaubu is from Tabia Village outside Labasa.
Nalaubu told SUNsports that at least things are getting better for them as they are geared up for their clash against competition favourites New Zealand on Tuesday at 5am (Fiji time).
Digicel men’s football national team captain Roy Krishna (left) congratulates Sairusi Nalaubu (middle) after he scored his second goal against New Caledonia in Doha, Qatar, on March 18, 2022.
“I always wanted to play alongside Roy and see that Fiji makes the cut for the World Cup,” Nalaubu added.
“My goal is to set my benchmark and make it a 100 per cent win record on this tour. However, the big prize is for the team to qualify for the World Cup.”
Nalaubu said he is grateful to head coach Flemming Serritslev and the coaching staff for giving him a chance to play at the top level alongside Roy, who plays for ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League.
“Definitely, I will give my 100 percent in the remaining matches,” Nalaubu said.
The 25-year-old who won the Digicel Premier League’s Golden Boots Award for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) said he had worked very hard over the years to make the national team.
“It started under the watchful eyes of former coach Christophe Gamel.
“Through my hard work in the last two years I was able to make the squad. I am happy. I have been part of the extended training squad under Gamel but did not make the 25-member squad.
“It was a blessing in disguise and now I am part of this team. During those days the squad was named by FASANOC and Gamel told me to keep working hard as the future looks bright.”
Nalaubu missed the Pacific Mini Games and a few international matches as he was still in high school. In 2019, he was recruited by the Fiji Police Force as a constable.
His football career began when he joined high school and made the Suva team in 2015. In 2017, he joined Rewa before moving to Lautoka in 2018.
He returned to Suva for a season and is now back with Lautoka.
Nalaubu’s wife, Kathleen said, she is proud to see him achieve one of his goals to be part of the Fiji team.
“When his name was announced to be part of the national team I broke down into tears,” she said.
“It is tough as he is in camp and we have a young daughter. He is away and I hope he will do well,” she added.
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