Adapting to the challenges of being away from home has been a significant experience for Extra Bula FC during Round Two of their campaign, as highlighted by player Filipe Baravilala. The team recently returned from Papua New Guinea, where they faced intense competition and the additional difficulties of extended hotel stays and restrictions on movement.
Baravilala acknowledged the mental strain that comes from being away from family and familiar environments. “Being away from home has been a factor for us, especially being out of our country. We really tried our best to adapt to it,” he reflected. To combat the challenges, the players engaged in team bonding activities while in their hotel, aiming to maintain a positive atmosphere. He shared, “We try to enjoy ourselves, play cards and just hype each other up in the hotel. We knew it was going to be hard because we were away from our families, but we are there for business. At the end of the day, we have to give our best on the field and maintain professionalism in camp.”
Despite the off-field difficulties, Baravilala described Round Two as an exciting and valuable learning opportunity for the team. He noted that they are steadily improving, particularly in applying the game strategies provided by their coaching staff.
Looking forward, Bula FC has six rounds left in their campaign and aims to build on the lessons learned from their recent experience in PNG. They are set to face Vanuatu United in their next match on the 22nd of this month, which will be broadcasted live on FBC 2. The team’s resilience and focus on teamwork serve as a hopeful testament to their continued growth and determination in the competition.