Oliver ready to spring suprises

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Oliver Mcfayden returns for USA All Stars for PCCYOU don’t have to place a performance bet on the US All Stars during the Pacific Cup.

But you can count on quality, commitment and professionalism on the football field.

The US All Stars has drawn admiration in the past tournaments for style, guile and camaraderie.

They’ve also created major upsets, beating top Fiji, Australia and New Zealand teams only to lose 4-3 in the semi-final shootout to Manukau All Stars last year.

And given the talent spread, expect them to make a far better statement during this year’s tournament.

The team is ready to put on a clinic at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

Mcfayden, Verhoven show

And with midfielder Oliver Mcfayden returning to the team and at the heart of where the in house politics thwarted his inclusion in the U-21 World Cup team, it is game on for him.

Oliver is looking forward to the games with a lot of optimism.

“Hopefully this time around we can win it , with the addition of some new players in the squad I think we’ve got more than enough quality to win the tournament,” said Oliver.

He is what modern day footballers are,creative, has pace and confidence, these are the stock tools of the best attacking midfielder.

Along with Zach Verhoven, a Canadian Premier League player, the Americans will find comfort in displaying beautiful football.

Verhoven, a midfielder and a regular on the Canadian Premier League team Vancouver FC, is a complete footballer who will be an asset to the team.

With free rein to drift around the pitch and exploit the space, the duo’s ability to conjure something from nothing makes the team a contender for the championship.

Oliver, Verhoven and Peter Ravitisai, with Fijian roots, would showcase football, the latter has represented Fiji while Oliver and Verhoven would love to represent in the future.

The onus, though, is on FFA, to get them a Fijian citizenship and a passport.

Oliver isn’t over the false promises made in obtaining his Fijian citizenship and a passport.

He definitely would have helped the U20 World Cup team in Argentina, Fiji suffered heavy defeats, 9-0 to Ecuador, 4-0 to Slovakia and 3-0 to USA and governance continues to put on a brave face in the aftermath of their pathetic performance.

“Not getting my citizenship was unfortunate and a bit of a shock as I was told prior to going into camp and reassured throughout the camp for the U20s that there shouldn’t be an issue getting my citizenship,” Oliver told Sportsone, who plays club football for Stockport Georgians, in the North West Counties League in England.

It is hard for a thinking football fan to wrap their head around the fact that the head honchos' incompetence got in the way of progress.

All about inclusion

The US All Stars is a team isn’t shy about inclusion, they’ve representatives from USA, England and Canada.

And it’s a must lesson that if you want to compete, you need to field the best team even if it means going against the grain.

Imone Mohanta, the head coach has a team capable of winning the tournament, no bets, but expect quality football on display.

You can bet on that.

Comments 

 

+2 #1 Shame — Jason 2024-11-26 10:33

Oliver is awesome footballer, now had Rajesh, Yusuf and Ronil worked on his citizenship and passport, how would they’ve had their bazaar players in the WC, and still suck up Roy, past his prime player, Fiji isn’t going nowhere in Football as long as the fattsos are in the office …

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