SUVA (August 1): Esala Masi has been named captain for Fiji’s two match international versus India later this month (August).
India (141) sits 10 places above Fiji (131) on the FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Rankings.
India will play Ba at Govind Park, Ba on 10 August, 2005, before taking on the national side in Lautoka (12 August) and Suva (14 August).
Fiji coach Lee Sterry has named seven new caps in the 22-man squad; Pita Bolagata (Navua), Petero Dunisaka (Australia), Dinesh Mudaliar (Nasinu), Avinesh Swamy (Ba), , Malakai Tiwa (Ba), and Apisalome Turuvu (Rewa).
Players from the 2005 Battle of the Giants champions Navua dominating the squad, six of the team are based outside of Fiji.
The Fiji national team is in camp at the Dr. Sahu Khan Soccer Academy in Ba.
Fiji: Sharmal Kumar (Labasa), Simione Tamanisau (Navua), Lorima Dau (Navua), Avinesh Swamy (Ba), Malakai Tiwa (Ba), Esala Masi (Ba), Laisiasa Vosailagi (NZ), Kiniviliame Naika (Ba), Ovini Duguca (Nadroga), Osea Vakatalesau (Lautoka), Stephen Morrell (NZ), Salesh Kumar (Ba), Thomas Vulivuli (Navua), Apisalome Turuva (Rewa), Dinesh Mudaliar (Nasinu), Petero Daunisaka (Aus), Pita Baletoga (Navua), Alvin Avinesh (Lautoka), Luke Vidovi (Ba)
*The national team will now be known as Pepsi Fiji after striking a deal with Tappoo Fiji Ltd., the exclusive Pepsi dealer in Fiji.
*Masi was dumped from his Malaysian club side Johor FC last week and is now expected to link up with a side in Australia after the India tour.
*The Solomon Islands national team are hoping to secure matches in Fiji as part of their build-up for the Oceania World Cup Playoff with Australia in September, no announcement has been made at this stage.
*The Fiji FA will soon commence phase two of their FIFA Goal Project in Suva with the construction of second soccer academy.
The academy will include an international standard FIFA approved pitch, administration buildings, training and development centre, new Fiji FA headquarters, gymnasium and acccomadtion.
For more news from Fiji check out the website www.fijifootball.com