Pacific

Fiji's new coach names 36 strong squad

10:55 am on 17 October 2006

Fiji's new national football team coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti has named a 36-member squad to start preparations for next years Pacific Games.

Fiji also launched the Pacific Games Operation Gold campaign with the naming of the side.

Buzzetti says he will work on trying to defend the gold medal at the games and finish in the top three to join New Zealand in the home and away world cup qualifying series.

He named 30 home based and six overseas based players with three from New Zealand - Petero Dauniseka, Salesh Kumar and Pita Rabo.

The squad gathers in camp for a week from next Friday.

The Fijian side will make a month long build up tour to South East Asia next July before going to the Pacific Games in Samoa.