Fiji men's football team Photo: Supplied
The Fiji men's national soccer team head coach Rob Sherman says the A-League competition, that includes Australian and New Zealand professional clubs, should allow for two visa slots for Pacific players on teams.
Sherman, who is in Wellington with the Fiji team ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier semifinal clash against the All Whites next Friday, told RNZ Pacific that inclusion in the A-League will help develop Pacific island teams.
He backs the proposed OFC Pro-League, which is scheduled to kick off in January 2026, adding that he is hopeful that the new league will help raise the standard of the game in the region.
"I think it would be a big step forward if a A-League team would offer two visa slots to every team for just OFC players," Sherman said, as he prepared to lead the team through another training session at the Rongotai College ground on Thursday.
"That will help. I do not think it will be detrimental to the A-League.
"The OFC Pro-League is a big positive step. Hopefully, it comes to fruition, can sustain itself, and will be a game raiser. In other words, it will inspire clubs to raise their standards across the whole region."
Fiji has expressed interest to Oceania Football in having four clubs in the new pro-league competition.
Whichever club is given the licence from Fiji is expected to include a number of national reps, who are in the current squad preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tough challenge
Sherman, meanwhile, is confident his players will give 100 percent when they meet the "all professional" New Zealand team on 21 March.
He said the players were confident they could match the All Whites, but he was being realistic and knew the challenge is going to be a tough one.
"The whole of the New Zealand team live in the professional stage and we live in the amateur stage. There's a gap and we are trying to close that.
He said the All Whites are a full professional side.
"They have got a good strength of players and so it is a big challenge. We have to face the fact that we might be living for long periods in the game without the ball, which is inevitable.
"But the game has proven over many years that the minnows can beat the giants and we still believe that we can do that."
Getting used to the cold and windy Wellington weather is something the players will have to do quickly before 21 March.
Sherman said they felt the difference between Auckland, where they had spent two weeks, and the capital city as soon as they arrived in Wellington on Wednesday.
"There is a stark difference, and Auckland was a bit balmier than Wellington, and obviously yesterday (Wednesday) was a very strong wind, but we still have the opportunity to acclimatise, and we still have the best part of the week to get used to the conditions," he said.
Sherman said the two warm-up matches they had in Auckland helped their players learn a lot of things, especially playing against teams who are organised on the field.
The Fijian national football team during an exhibition match in Auckland. Photo: Supplied
He is looking forward to this weekend's friendly against the Wellington Phoenix, who he said would be a step up from Auckland United and Eastern Suburbs in the past week.
"Obviously we are still preparing tactically and technically and the Phoenix is an opportunity to give them another run out against a fully professional team, which is a step up from those we played," he stated.
"And obviously there's six weeks between that game and the crucial game, so there's a chance to review and revise and make any adjustments we need to make."
Sherman believes the team has improved in their knowledge of the game and understanding tactical approaches of the game.
But he is concerned that lapses continue to appear during matches.
"They definitely getting used to the tactical approach and the boys have progressed and they are every welling and do try," he said.
"There's little moments when they do digress and not sure why that is, whether it's pressure. But things have improved."
Fiji has won only one of eight matches between the side since 2007, that happening in 2008 - 17 years ago.
New Zealand topped their Group matches last year, with wins over Tahiti, Samoa and Vanuatu.
Fiji finished second behind New Caledonia in their pool. New Caledonia and Tahiti will meet in the first semifinal on 21 March.
