Sport: Fiji name youth and experience for Nations Cup

Fiji have included a dozen players from their Under 23 Olympic squad for the Oceania Nations Cup football competition, which kicks off in Papua New Guinea next weekend.

National team director and Fiji FA Vice president Tarunesh Reddy said the 23-man squad has a good blend of youth and experience.

"Frank Farina had a very tough job because around 35 players were competing for the 23 available spots. It's a squad with a mixture of senior as well as young players who will be part of the Rio Olympics in August," he told Fiji FA Media.

The squad also includes Hekari United defenders, Pita Bolaitoga and Remueru Takiate, who possess valuable information about the local conditions in Port Moresby.

The captain and vice-captain will be named next week with Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krisna and Ba FC defender Alvin Singh the most likely candidates to be offered the roles.

Reddy says the squad is currently in a training camp in Ba to put the finishing touches on their preparations.

"Prior to the team's departure the players will mainly be working on their combination, structure and the different formations. We are aiming high at the Nations Cup and our objective is to qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup," he said.

Fiji begin their campaign against New Zealand and are also pooled with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers

Beniaminio Mateinaqara (Suva FA)

Simione Tamanisau (Rewa FC)

Shaneel Naidu (Ba FC)

Defenders

Alvin Singh (BA FC)

Samuela Kautoga (BA FC)

Kolinio Sivoki (Suva FA)

Jale DRreloa (Suva FA)

Remueru Takiata (Hekari)

Pita Bolaitoga (Hekari)

Amani Makoe (Rewa FA)

Midfielders

Setareki Hughes (Suva FA)

Nickel Chand (Suva FA)

Tevita Waranaivalu (Rewa FC)

Laisenia Raura (Ba FC)

Malakai Tiwa (Ba FC)

Ilisoni Logaivou (Labasa FC)

Taione Kerevanua (Labasa FC)

Forwards

Roy Krishna (Wellington Phoenix)

Rusiate Matarerega (Suva FA )

Samuela Nabenia (Ba FC)

Iosefo Verevou (Rewa FA)

Ilimotama Jese (Nadi FA)