The OFC men's football Olympic qualifying tournament kicks off in Fiji today with the home side looking to defend their title and book a ticket to another Olympics.
Fiji made their first Olympics four years ago by defeating Vanuatu in the final of the qualifying tournament on penalties after hot favourites New Zealand were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
Fiji coach Marika Rodu Photo: Avikash Chand / OFC Media
Fiji U23 coach Marika Rodu said although there would be pressure to perform at home with the tournament set at Lautoka's Churchill Park.
"The soccer fans here in Fiji are crazy and are very critical about our performance," Rodu said.
"The boys understand that, and we want to make sure they want we want to keep things as safe as possible."
Although the coach concedes there are obvious benefits.
"There will be an advantage to us, with the home crowd and the home weather conditions.
"But football is about attitude and it is about getting the job done," Rodu said.
He said the idea was to be make a second ever Olympics but admitted Fiji were a long shot.
He saw New Zealand as favourites with Solomon Islands another contender.
Marika Rodu's team will meet Tonga on Sunday.
American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu are the other teams involved.
The regional men's football Olympic qualifying tournament kicks off in Fiji today as the homeside look to defend their title and book a ticket to an historic second consecutive Olympics.
Fiji made their first Olympics four years ago by defeating Vanuatu in the final of the qualifying tournament on penalties after hot favourites New Zealand were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
Fiji coach Marika Rodu said although there would be pressure to perform at home with the tournament set at Lautoka's Churchill Park.
"The soccer fans here in Fiji are crazy and are very critical about our performance," Rodu said.
"The boys understand that, and we want to make sure they want we want to keep things as safe as possible."
Although the coach concedes there are obvious benefits.
"There will be an advantage to us, with the home crowd and the home weather conditions.
"But football is about attitude and it is about getting the job done," Rodu said.
He said the idea was to be make a second ever Olympics but admitted Fiji were a long shot.
He saw New Zealand as favourites with Solomon Islands another contender.
Marika Rodu's team will meet Tonga on Sunday.
American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu are the other teams involved.