Ba duo lead Fiji against All Whites November 19, 2008
Ba players Malakai Keinahewe and Malakai Tiwa will lead the Fiji Soccer team against New Zealand All Whites in their final encounter of the 2010 World Cup qualifier this evening in Lautoka.
The duo will marshal the Fijian defence as the hosts anticipate a mammoth task against the faster and fitter Kiwis who are gunning for a win to end their Oceania Qualifiers undefeated run.
Both Keinahewe and Tiwa have led the national and Ba sides in the past and are known for their communication and motivating factor on the field of play.
Fiji coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti said the two players commanded a lot of respect from the rest of the players in the squad and have been selected based on their experience and discipline.
“Mala is the most experienced player in the team while Tiwa as always is an inspiration to the rest of the boys and did a good job as the team captain in our last encounter against Vanuatu, he said.
“Other experienced players like Peni Finau, Salesh Kumar and Samuela Vula will also assist the two in the match that will be a tough one and needs good communicators to keep our momentum going.
“The run on team for the match will be announced before the match as the management will look at the final medical examination of the players with injuries before coming up with the final list.
“It is a big game and we want to field all the best players that is why we are holding on the naming of the team” Buzzetti added.
Meanwhile, the All Whites arrived into the country yesterday afternoon and had a light session in Lautoka today under the watchful eyes of Coach Rickie Herbert.
27 year old rugged Wellington Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund will captain the Kiwis in the match.
The Fiji-New Zealand match kicks off at 6pm in Churchill Park, Lautoka.
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