The Digicel Fijian football team have shifted their focus to next year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

The mission to win the gold medal was set out by head coach Flemming Serritslev and his coaching staff after they bowed out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania qualifiers to Papua New Guinea at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha.

The Fijians last won the gold medal at the 2003 Pacific Games in Suva.

Speaking to SUNsports, team manager Anushil Kumar said they have the Pacific Games in sight.

“The boys have accepted the defeat in Qatar and have now shifted their focus to the next assignment,” he said.

“Our next mission will be the Pacific Games.”

“It has been a learning experience for the team since we had a lot of young players.”

“These players will carry our hopes to the future.”

“It was very hard to digest the loss in Qatar but its football and we learn along the way.”

“We had prepared well despite the pandemic disruptions but the boys and their families remained loyal and committed to the task.”

“The tournament was good even though it did not happen the way we had hoped for.”

Kumar said playing in the Pacific Games is a step towards preparing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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