The New Zealand U-17 Men’s side kick off their quest for a place at the World Cup later this year when they take on Fiji in the opening game of the Oceania qualifying tournament in Tahiti on Wednesday (kickoff 4.30pm NZT).
The winner of this week’s round robin tournament will earn a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea in August.
Following the withdrawal of the reigning Oceania champions, the Solomon Islands over the weekend, New Zealand face Fiji on Wednesday, followed by the hosts Tahiti on Friday (kickoff 7pm NZT) and the final game against New Caledonia on Sunday (kickoff 1pm NZT).
New Zealand coach Colin Tuaa is expecting a tough contest from a physical Fijian side.
“We had a look at them training the other day – we actually ended up training on the same pitch as them – and like other Fijian teams they have a lot of pace in their attack,” says Tuaa.
Story courtesy NZS Media…