THE Fiji Football Association has deferred its national camp for the Apia
South Pacific Games preparations to February.
The Fiji FA was expected to hold a national camp before Christmas. This
has been ruled out due to the political crisis.
Fiji FA senior vice president and national team director, Mohammed Yusuf,
said there was no way a training camp would be called in the next few
weeks.
He said with the national under-20 engagements, the camp was now likely
to be held in February.
"That's when we will have all our overseas players available,"
Yusuf said.
"The Apia Games will serve as the 2010 World Cup qualifier. So it
is a very important event for us. We need the best possible preparation.
A tour of the United States is on the itinerary."
Meanwhile, FIFA has changed Oceania's qualifying route to the 2010 World
Cup in South Africa.
Oceania's qualification process will consist of three phases. The first
phase will begin at the 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa with the football
tournament doubling as an OFC preliminary World Cup qualifying competition.
The gold, silver and bronze medallists will advance to the second phase.
The three medallists will join New Zealand in a home and away round-robin
tournament on FIFA match dates in 2008 and 2009. The winner of this final
group will be crowned OFC Nations Cup champions and secure qualification
for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
This team will then advance to third qualification phase in the final
group stage of the AFC qualification programme.
Previously the Oceania qualifier was required to playoff against the 5th
placed team in CONMEBOL (South America).
Yusuf said Oceania's entry to the 2010 World Cup was easier now.
However, Yusuf said teams in the Asian region cannot be taken lightly.
"The Asian Confederation has been strengthened with the inclusion
of Australia," Yusuf said.
"Cost wise it is certainly beneficial for the Oceania winner. The
side will incur less expenses travelling to Asia. It is a financial burden
for teams from this region to travel all the way to South America."
The Apia SPG will be held in September 2007.
Meanwhile, the national under-20 soccer team will face top New Zealand
club Waikato in one of its warm up matches in preparation for the Oceania
Championship in January.
The Fiji U20 side is billed to play four warm up matches in New Zealand
ahead of the playoffs.
Fiji Football Association senior vice president Mohammad Yusuf said the
match against Waikato FC would be held in Hamilton.
"We are expected to depart Fiji on January 8," Yusuf said.
"The side will play for warm up matches.
"Three have already been confirmed. We are in the process of finalising
one match."
ZANZEER SINGH. ,
December 12, 2006.
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