3 Jun 2017

Sport: Fiji football backing youth

9:00 am on 3 June 2017

The road to the 2026 Football World Cup has begun for the Fiji men's national team, as head coach Christophe Gamel puts his faith in youth.

The Frenchman recorded his first win in charge of the Bula Boys on Sunday, a 1-0 triumph over Solomon Islands in Lautoka.

The teams had drawn 1-1 in the first friendly international in Suva last Thursday.

Fiji selected a new-look squad against Solomon Islands.

Fiji selected a new-look squad against Solomon Islands. Photo: Fiji Football

With their 2018 World Cup qualifying hopes over, following defeat against New Zealand in March, Gamel overlooked some of Fiji's more senior internationals as he began building a new squad over the next four years to eight years.

The Frenchman said he was pleasantly surprised by the performance of his players after only a few days of preparation.

"At the end the new players performed because I go for youth, I go to change everything," he said.

"Because now is the time to target (qualifying for the World Cup in) 2026 and I launch all this project and it starts from now" he said.

"International friendly games they are made for that but the most important (thing) was the players apply exactly what I have asked and also we played the type of football that I would like to see on the pitch in Fiji."

Fiji coach Christophe Gamel speaks to media following their World Cup Qualification match against New Zealand in Wellington.

Fiji coach Christophe Gamel speaks to media following their World Cup Qualification match against New Zealand in Wellington. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Christophe Gamel said he has started to change the tactical style of the Fiji team.

"My vision of football, which is a background more as European, with less kick and chase and I try to give...stuff on their feet exercise for sitting position and most of all to read the game and find solutions fast," he said.

Fiji play New Caledonia home and away later this month in their final World Cup qualifying matches while Solomon Islands are home and away against Papua New Guinea.

Fiji huddle together before their World Cup qualifying match against New Zealand.

Fiji huddle together before their World Cup qualifying match against New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Christophe Gamel said it will be another important test for his young squad.

"New Caledonia is really really a good team the group is full of professional players," he said.

"I know some of them because they are playing in France in Ligue 2 - they are very good players.

"I know that this task is not easy but I want to see the level of my young team and how we will perform in front of big professional players so this is the point and we still give them feedback for the future."

Fiji have also locked in two more international friendly matches for later in the year.

The Bula Boys will travel to Indonesia in August before hosting Estonia in November.