Fiji amateurs prepare for Hail Mary shot at qualifying for World Cup

Preparing an amateur squad featuring policemen, builders and transport workers, Fiji manager Rob Sherman is under no illusions about the task at hand as the Pacific islanders look to pull off the unthinkable and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Fiji need to beat far-better resourced New Zealand in Wellington on March 21 in the semi-finals of Oceania qualifying.

The reward for that would be a match against either New Caledonia or Tahiti three days later at Eden Park for a direct ticket to the 2026 showpiece in North America.

Upsetting New Zealand's professionals might amount to Fiji's finest moment in soccer, never mind the World Cup.

While lacking New Zealand's skill and fitness levels, Fiji can match them for enthusiasm, said Sherman.

"Well, let's make no excuses -- it's going to be a very tough encounter," the former Melbourne Victory assistant coach told Reuters on Thursday.

"I mean, they're professionals and we're a team full of amateurs, if we're honest.

"So we have to accept the fact that it's likely that they'll have the vast majority of possession. So it's how we play without the ball that's a factor."

Fiji are holding a training camp in Auckland over the next few days before they head to Wellington next week to continue preparations.

The mood in the camp is good, even without 37-year-old talisman Roy Krishna, the highest scoring and most-capped Fiji player of all time.

One of few Fijians to carve out a successful career in the professional ranks, Krishna is unavailable for the qualifier due to a knee injury.

It is a blow for a squad that toils largely in obscurity in a nation renowned for its rugby talent.

Funding is tight and securing the services of players can be a challenge.

Sherman's squad, which contains several policemen, have proper jobs and not all of them can afford the time off for tours and training camps.

Sherman would love to call up players with Fijian heritage, such as Melbourne-born centre back Dan Halls, who plays for A-League team Auckland FC.

However, overseas-born players would need to live in Fiji for five years to get a passport, which can be a tough sell for those earning a living in foreign leagues.

Make the grade

Welshman Sherman, who has worked as a technical director for the Wales, Australia and New Zealand football associations, says more professional pathways are needed for Fiji-born players in foreign leagues.

He hopes Australia might loosen tight caps on foreign players in its professional leagues, perhaps allowing exemptions for Fijians and other Oceania nation players.

That would make A-League teams more inclined to gamble on untried players from the Pacific, he says.

"There are some very talented young players here, and lads who could probably make the grade," he said.

"But obviously, it's very difficult for a club to give up a visa slot on an unknown player."

Football Australia declined to provide immediate comment on the prospect of visa exemptions for Oceania-based players.

Back in Auckland, Sherman is focused on convincing his players they can pressure New Zealand, whose fans will expect an easy win.

There will likely be ample support for the underdogs from New Zealand's strong Fijian community.

"There'll be an expectation from the crowd that it'll be a walkover, I'm sure," said Sherman.

"If we can actually stifle that, the (New Zealand) players might get frustrated.

"We'll be parking the bus to a degree. But equally so, hoping to capitalize when we do have the ball."