DAV College student, Christopher Kumar has been drafted into the Fiji FUTSAL side, replacing top Fiji marksman Osea Vakatalesau who has been ruled out with injury.

The 18 year old who mends the striker’s position, got the call up from the FUTSAL team management after Vakatalesau injured his knee while playing for Ba in last weekend’s National League fixture.

Vakatalesau who also scored in the game was one of the big names in the Fijian squad and was expected to pair up with last season’s OFC golden boot winner Kamal Hassan in the OFC championship next week in Suva.

Fiji FUTSAL executive Jainendra Sukhu said Vakatalesau’s injury was untimely but is confident the team will still do well without him.

“Osea was one of the key players in the squad with a lot of international exposure but the injury has ruled him out as his knee is badly hurt and he needs time to recover.”

“We have included Christopher Kumar from DAV College Ba as a cover for him and have other good strikers in the squad also to fill in for Vakatalesau.”

“Christopher was very impressive in the western FUTSAL tournament and was thus selected by coach Imtiaz Khan in the 25 member team and he also made the 15 member squad but was dropped from the final 12.”

“He has a lot of potential but needs exposure and by featuring in a regional tournament like this, he will gain a lot of experience and confidence” he added.

Kumar recently featured for the victorious West 2 U18 team at the Fiji FACT where he awed fans with his dazzling skills and blistering pace.

Fiji will compete against Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia on a round robin basis in the regional championship which kicks off on Monday at the Vodafone Arena.

Fiji squad: Simone Tamanisau, Emori Ragata, Mira Sahib, Sandeep Nair, Dinesh Mudliar, Joseph Mishra, Shivam Nathan, Mohammed Shalmeen, Uraia Loki, Aisea Codro, Kamal Hassan, Christopher Kumar.

Fijilive

Back to Home

Print