OFC, Professional League-no brainer

Opinions / Analysis

FIJI Football Association’s decision to play in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League will be a disaster.

The head honchos need to reevaluate their position before they get schooled in the world of real football.

It is a no brainer for FFA, as at the heart of it all is the standard of the sport in the country, which would only embarrass the players and the country.

For Fiji can’t beat the island nations, who they walked over in the 80-90s, think they have the footballers to play at an elite level.

Look no further than the Champions versus Champions series, the two legged match was much of a sew-saw of football.

Lautoka won its third championship title but it was far from being spectacular.

It was a lacklustre derby between Lautoka and Ba.

The teams couldn’t put together a string of passes, had no real structure and or game plan.

While it was money in the bank for FFA on what appeared to be a grand sellout, selling much of what is ‘Sunday pickup style football to a wider football audience will be difficult.

In high-intensity performance, the principle of play involves possession, cover, width, and length.

And there are many other mechanisms, like understanding of teammates, runs, support and defence that can affect the success rate of a trend.

Champions versus Champions series lacked some basics of football that were exposed.

Much to awe, a novice soccer commentator with a New Zealand social media network called out on what local commentators are always shy about: that players failed to play with or without the ball, use space, follow up, attack and defend as a team.

He offered personal anecdotes and strategy insights.

He raised the bullet points of the beautiful game, and he did it so eloquently.

A first for a call out against the grain is praiseworthy.

Now how often Fiji commentators talk about strategy, which also includes a coach’s philosophy, the abilities of the players on the team, how difficult positions, rotations work together on the field and the whole footballing yards.

Oftentimes the audience are left to drool about duck and or rooster chaser to go with the particular setting, people and group.

For FFA isn't any professional about nothing let alone football, and joining the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League is a disaster in the making.