Coach Hopeful Of Warm-Up Games In Qatar

Digicel national men’s football coach, Flemming Serritslev is hopeful of securing a couple of friendly matches in Doha, Qatar, be­fore they play in next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

This was after the national team’s tour to Melbourne, where they were to play three A- League clubs were cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The 25-member national training squad have been released to play for their respective districts when the Digicel Premier League kicks off next weekend. This is before the final squad will report to camp at the Fiji FA Acad­emy in Ba on February 21.

“I hope we can have one or two friendly games in Qatar before we start the qualification,” he said.“As soon as know we can have the friendly games then we can leave early.

“If we have only one friendly match then maybe we will leave on March 6 or 7, if two more games then we will leave before that.

“The teams that we will play are not known yet, Fiji FA is working on it.”

Star striker Roy Krishna will join the team in Qatar. He will travel directly from India depending on his club’s per­formance in the Indian Super League competition.

“I was happy with the last camp we had, the team is coming into shape now.

“Hopefully we can see it when the Digicel Premier League starts, they will have to show it in the matches,” he said.

The Bula Boys open their campaign against New Caledonia on March 18 while their second 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers is against New Zealand on March 21.

Their final pool match against Papua New Guinea on March 24.

The tournament will determine which nation will represent Oceania in the FIFA intercontinental play-off in June 2022.

The winner from there will earn a spot at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals.

The FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj