National and Lautoka goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara says host national Fiji has quality goalkeepers for the OFC U17 Championship.
Mateinaqara, who has been training the goalkeepers for the regional competition which also acts as qualifiers for U17 World Cup told FijiLive that Savenaca Driu Nabati, Ilisoni Koro, Kartik Krishant Sharma and Areya Prasad are in the best shape.
He said the goalkeepers will play a key role and have been trained on every aspect of the game.
“We spent a lot of time on the goalkeepers. We have three goalkeepers from Fiji and one from overseas.”
“I think the boys have prepared well for the first match against Samoa. Our goalkeepers have been trained much on how to stop goals and the tack-ticks they can apply in doing so.”
“Goalkeepers have to be very fearful and strong and that’s how we prepared the boys. They were tested at the friendlies and they were able to use their skills against the senior players so I think they’ll do well in the OFC.”
“These boys are motivated and we encouraged them to take each game at a time and play humbly.”
“Our goalkeepers are very young but they act as gatekeepers because they are energetic as well. They are very fast and have strong ball handling skills which itself is a positive thing in the team.”
“I wish all the best to the team and also urge fans to support our Baby Bula Boys and to motivate them.”
Fiji plays Samoa in its first match at 7pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today.
