The Fijian National U-20s team will be using Valentine Sports Park as its official training headquarters in preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later this month.
Coach Ravinesh Kumar has assembled his troops at Football NSW’s headquarters with a special milestone broken as his side became the first Fijian national team to be represented at a FIFA World Cup tournament.
“We have been waiting to play in a FIFA event for a long time and now we have managed to do so for the very first time in 76 years.
“This is not only a victory for the Fiji Football Federation, but for the whole country,” Kumar stated on the official FIFA World Cup U-20 website.
The Oceania U-20 Champions produced an almost flawless World Cup qualifying campaign in the six-nation event, dropping just two points against Vanuatu but recorded victories over American Samoa, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Fiji have undertaken a gruelling training campaign and have spent the last few months training in Suva at the national training centre before arriving in Sydney.
As part of their World Cup preparations, Kumar’s team have penned in two official Friendly matches against a tough Mexican outfit on the 15th of May and South American giants Colombia on the 18th of May at Valentine Sports Park in what will surely give the team a great hit-out.
CONCACAF U-20 champions Mexico, coached by Sergio Almaguer, will be bringing out the big guns for their clash against the Fijians with the likes of Hirving Lozano of Pachuca, Alex Diaz of Club América and defender Rodrigo Gonzalez of Lobos de la BUAP all set to make appearances.
Los Cafeteros will also be bringing a formidable squad ‘down under’ as coach Carlos Restrepo will have a number of quality stars at his disposal with Juan Quintero of FC Porto, Jarlan Barrera of Junior FC and Jeison Lucumi of América de Cali all set to be included in the clash against Fiji.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup will commence on the 30th of May and will conclude on the 20th of June as the tournament is set to boast a number of high profile world football stars ready to use this major event as a springboard to stardom in their club footballing careers.
Tickets to Fiji’s friendly matches at Valentine Sports Park can be purchased via Moshtix:
Purchase tickets to Mexico U20s vs Fiji U20s, 15th May, 3pm
Purchase tickets to Colombia U20s vs Fiji U20s, 18th May, 3pm