Hekari stars make Fiji training squad

 SIX Hekari United FC’s players have been named in Fiji’s 50-member  national men’s soccer training squad to prepare for the Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia next year.

The six players are Alvin Singh, Malakai Tiwa, Tuimasi Manuca, Osea Vakatalesau, Pita Bolatoga and goalkeeper Simonie Tamanisau. 

Also included in the side were two former players in Lorima Dau and Veresa Toma

The Fiji training squad dominated by Lautoka players was announced over the weekend for the Pacific Games.

The Blues have a total of 11 players in the team. 

Ba has eight players followed by Navua seven, Rewa six, Labasa five and Nadi, Suva, Nadroga and Tavua with two each.

There are five overseas based players are Salesh Kumar (New Zealand), Apisolome Turuva (New Zealand), Shivan Sami (Australia), Javed Khan (Canada), Adrian Mariappa (England).

PNG Hekari’s striker Vakatalesau plays for Lautoka while Singh, Tiwa and Manuca (Ba), Pita Bolatoga (Labasa) and Tamanisau (Rewa)

A training camp has been organised for the squad from Jan 6-9 in Ba.

Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad said they would try and consult the Fiji Football Association technical department as the side would be involved in the O League on Jan 15.

He said although Lautoka players dominated the national training squad there was a good mix of players.

“Right now the players are on a break,” Prasad said.

“We hope to begin our O League preparations in the first week of January. The transfer window is open. There will surely be some movements. However the players will need to clear their outstanding dues.”

Training squad: Ba: Petero Dauniseka, Alvin Singh,  Tiwa, Malakai Kainihewe, Manuca, Jone Vesikula, Peni Finau, Avinesh Waran Suwamy; 

Lautoka: Kamal Hassan, Alvin Avinesh, Vakatalesau, Samuela Kautoga, Shamil Rao, Krishna Sami, Marika Madigi, Ilaitia Tuilau, Arvindra Naidu, Valerio Nawatu, Jone Vonu Junior; Labasa: Roy Krishna, Akuila Mataisuva, Bolaitoga, Ilisoni Logaivou, Misaele Draunibaka; Nadi: Ilimotama Jeke, Vereti Dickson; Nadroga: Samuela Drudru, Eron Underwood; Navua: Benaminio Mateinaqara, Pene Erenio, Taniela Waqa, Seveci Rokotakala, Maciu Dunadamu, Lorima Dau, Jesoni Takala; Rewa: Simione Tamanisau, Archie Watkins, Veresa Toma, Posiano Kalisito, Peniame Drova, Kelepi Qaqa; Suva: Samuela Vula, Esava Naqeleca; Tavua: Naitutunisau Caucau and  Josaia Ratu.