Vodafone Fiji National coach Christhope Gamel had made it clear that he had no pressure in naming the 30 member national squad last Sunday at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
Gamels aid that there had been lots of critics but he made it clear that he was the one who decided which player got into the national squad and was not pressured by Fiji FA.
“I want to make it clear that Fiji FA is always the one getting attacked but actually I’m the only one who should be blamed,” Gamel said.
“I want to stop all the criticisms now.
There is no pressure on me to select players. I choose the players that I want and need and if I’m not doing that then I won’t be doing this job.”
The first game he said would be hard because honestly one training session to prepare would be tough but they were not only planning for this game, they were planning for the future as well.
He said they had a young team and also talented one as well. Several districts he said were represented and he had kept some senior players. “We need to bring in new players and we need to see the potential of the players and how well they will gel in with each other and read the game.”
He said those were the things he wanted to improve and they needed the support of the fans and everyone in Fiji.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said Gamel had a duty to fulfil and those players who made excuses should not to be part of the squad.
“The national coach has his vision on what the national team should be made off, it is no longer the well-known names that will be part of the team,” Patel said.
“But it will be based on skill and their capabilities as seen by Christophe Gamel. Fans have been asking for the national team and this is now the opportune time.”
Fiji FA he said would take action on players who were available and did not want to join the national team.
“The country has to come first for them and sometimes certain players do not show up once they are named in the squad and if they don’t show up then we will definitely look into it and take action.”
Fiji plays Solomon Islands tonight at 7pm at ANZ Stadium in Suva and will play in the second friendly on Sunday at Churchill Park in Lautoka at 3pm.
National squad:
Ba- Remuera Tekiata, Sitiveni
Cavuilagi, Saula Waqa, Laisenia Raura, Shaneel Naidu; Lautoka- Kolinio Sivoki, Kavaia Rawaqa, Dave Radrigai, Ilaitia Tuilau; Nadi- Alfraz Ali, Napolioni Qasevakatini, Samuela Tamanisau, Waisake Tabucava, Andrew
Naicker; Rewa – Simione Tamanisau, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, Amani Makoe, Epeli Saukuru, Madhwan Goundar, Iosefo Verevou; Suva – Setareki Hughes, Ravinesh Karan Singh, Tevita Koroi; Labasa – Taniela Waqa, Christopher Wasasala; Navua – Zane Lingham, Rajnesh Raju, Manav Permal; Overseas – James Hoyt, Roy Krishna, Rajneel Chand.