TAGI Vonolagi is taking Fiji football back in time.
The former goalkeeping great has made headlines with his criticism of player selections for the Fiji Bula Boys squad competing in the MSG Prime Ministers Cup.
But his argument appears to be falling on deaf ears.
Head coach Stéphane Auvray has chosen young players, including members of the Fiji U19 team, as part of a development to provide international exposure and valuable game time.
Ryan Naresh, Maika Dau and Abdullah Khairati have shown they belong at this level, and must be given opportunities to grow.
Vonolagi’s argument is that international football should not be used as a testing ground for young players.
He believes experienced footballers, some of whom were reportedly awaiting a national team call-up, should have been given preference.
But what Vonolagi needs to understand is that there is no rule in football stating that only senior players can represent their country.
Football continues to evolve, and national teams around the world introduce young talent alongside experienced players, as exposure is an important part of player development.
Look no further than Spain, the reigning World Cup champions.
While comparisons with Fiji must be made within the context, the principle remains relevant, successful football nations invest in developing young players to perform at the highest level.
At the expanded 48-team World Cup, participating nations have also demonstrated the importance of integrating younger players into international squads.
Every nation had three to five youngsters between 18-23 years old, these ages are readily accessible through FIFA records.
Football is no longer what it was decades ago.
Modern football demands technical and tactical lace and a clear pathway for developing talent.
Experience matters, but experience alone cannot form the foundation of a national team’s selection policy.
Fiji must look beyond its traditional approach.
For too long, the national team has struggled to make its mark in the Oceania region with consistent progress.
The question is not simply about the age of the players selected, but also the quality of football being produced, the opportunities given to emerging talent and the results achieved over time.
Losing 1–0 to Vanuatu and drawing against the Solomon Islands is not the end of Fiji football.
Results matter, but the introduction of young players under Stéphane Auvray could represent an important step towards building the future of the national team.
Ryan Naresh, Maika Dau and Abdullah Khairati’s introduction in the game deserves attention.
They are being given an opportunity to learn by playing at international level something that cannot be replicated entirely in domestic football.
The bigger question is this.
What has Fiji football become over the past decade, and what has the national team achieved through its traditional approach?
These are questions that deserve honest discussion.
The game has evolved, Fiji must evolve with it.
