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🇫🇯 Fiji /Sports

Overseas pair join Junior Bula Boys squad

From FBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Two New Zealand-based players, Ryan Swami and Somit Maharaj, have joined the Fiji Junior Bula Boys squad.
  • The players were identified during the Pacific Community Cup and impressed the head coach with their skills.
  • They will compete in the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea, with qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup at stake.

Fiji's Junior Bula Boys U-16 team has received a significant boost with the inclusion of two New Zealand-based players, Ryan Swami and Somit Maharaj. Both teenagers expressed excitement about joining the national squad for the upcoming OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.

Fifteen-year-old Swami, who plays for Fencibles United, and 16-year-old Maharaj, from Auckland City FC, were scouted by Head Coach Sunil Kumar during the Pacific Community Cup held in New Zealand last November. Kumar noted their impressive technical ability, strong game awareness, and positive attitudes both on and off the field.

"That tournament allowed us to identify players of Fijian heritage playing overseas, and these two stood out," Kumar stated. "We have been monitoring their progress since then and are delighted to have them join the squad. They will add quality and competition to the group as we prepare for the championship."

Ryan and Somit impressed me during the Pacific Community Cup in New Zealand last November. They showed great technical ability, strong game awareness and a positive attitude both on and off the field.

— Sunil KumarHead Coach of the Junior Bula Boys, explaining why he selected the two New Zealand-based players.

The duo have already linked up with the team in Ba and are integrating into the training and living environment as preparations intensify for the regional tournament in Papua New Guinea. The OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 12 to 25.

The championship serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2027. Defending champions New Zealand are in Group B with the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu. Hosts Papua New Guinea headline Group A, alongside New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa. The top two teams from the tournament will secure berths in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

That tournament allowed us to identify players of Fijian heritage playing overseas, and these two stood out. We have been monitoring their progress since then and are delighted to have them join the squad. They will add quality and competition to the group as we prepare for the championship.

— Sunil KumarFurther elaborating on the selection process and the expected contribution of the new players.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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