18 Nov 2017

Sport: Fiji footballers braced for "nightmare" clash with Estonia

12:41 pm on 18 November 2017

An understrength Fiji football team faces a "nightmare" scenario against Estonia, who kick off a three-game tour of the Pacific Islands in Lautoka tomorrow.

With the match being played outside the FIFA window, Fiji coach Christophe Gamel will be without the team's only professional player, Roy Krishna, who has remained his club side Wellington Phoenix.

Roy Krishna heads the ball during their 2-0 defeat to New Zealand in Lautoka.

Roy Krishna is absent for Fiji. Photo: OFC Media

Half a dozen local players are also unavailable through injury and Gamel admits preparation has been less than ideal, with a couple of proposed warm-up games also falling through.

"So I didn't have any games to prepare for Estonia which is for me another type of problem because I don't know how my team will react for the rhythm."

"It will be difficult to be honest and also the weather is very bad in Lautoka - heavy rain - so difficult to find the field to train. It's not the best moment to play against Estonia but we have no choice and I trust my boys," Gamel said.

Fiji football coach Christophe Gamel.

Fiji football coach Christophe Gamel. Photo: Fiji Football

The Bula Boys completed their World Cup qualifying campaign in June with a draw and a loss against New Caledonia, while Estonia finished fourth in a European qualifying group that included Belgium, Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Estonia are ranked almost 100 places higher than Fiji at 80th in the world and Christophe Gamel is bracing for the worst-case-scenario.

"And don't forget that they have played New Zealand, France, England, a lot of big teams - Greece. They come with a big big background which for us a big opportunity and we will suffer, to be honest," Gamel said.

"I think it will be a nightmare this game but I continue to trust my players and this group is young. They have a few experiences together but they will have to face it - it's good for us to see which kind of background it will bring to them."

Estonia continue their Pacific tour against Vanuatu and New Caledonia over the coming week.

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