The 12-member squad was announced at Fiji Football Association headquarters in Suva this afternoon and there were few surprises in a group Khan hopes will earn the country a place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
The most notable ommision is that of Roy Krishna, who has been named as a non-travelling reserve. The speedy striker plays the outdoor version of the game for New Zealand national champions Waitakere United and is regarded as one of the best players in the Oceania region. He made his debut on the court at last year’s event but missed the later stages of the summer season in New Zealand due to a dislocated wrist.
Key figure Kamal Hassan remains in the side, while Uraia Loki, Ajesh Narayan, Aisea Codro, Ratu Dugucagi, Levi Tawake, Shivam Nathan and Mira Sahib also return after being involved in last year’s campaign.
Emori Ragata and Sandeep Nair have made it back after missing out last year because of injury while Rajnesh Raju and Eron Underwood are set to make their debuts.
Joining Krishna as non-travelling reserves are Petero Dauniseka and Joseph Mishra.
Khan says his players are focused on the challenging task that lies ahead of them from May 16 to 20 at Suva’s Vodafone Arena.
“We have been training hard for the past few weeks and I would like to thank the players who have showed commitment,” he says. “I faced a major problem of not getting the full compliment of players I wanted to work with but those who have put their hands up look keen and I’m sure we will be able to field a good side.”
Fiji have been drawn in Group A with Kiribati, New Zealand and Vanuatu while Group B contains Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tahiti and New Caledonia. Fiji have hosted the annual event since 2008 and have finished second to the Solomon Islands for the last two editions.
The winner of this year’s tournament will go on to represent Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
Fiji squad for OFC Futsal Championship
1. Emori RAGATA (GK), 2. Hussain SAHIB, 3. Sandeep NAIR, 4. Shivam NATHAN, 5. Ajesh NARAYAN, 6. Rajnesh RAJU, 7. Aisea CODRO, 8. Ratu DUGUCAGI, 9. Kamal HASSAN, 10. Uraia LOKI, 11. Eran UNDERWOOD, 12. Levi TAWAKE (GK)
Non-travelling reserves: Petero DAUNISEKA, Joseph MISHRA, Roy KRISHNA
Coach: Intiaz KHAN
Manager: Malvin ANAND
Head of delegation: Anil SHARMA
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