Extra Bula FC faces a challenging schedule in circuit three of the OFC Pro League, with four matches lined up and only two days of recovery between each game. Their first encounter will be against Vanuatu United on Sunday, followed by a match against Hekari United on Wednesday. The team will then take on Solomon Kings FC next Saturday and face South Island United on March 3.
Given this demanding timetable, head coach Stephane Auvray has announced plans to rotate injury-free players throughout the matches. He emphasized the importance of player participation in preparation for the upcoming games, stating, “We have four games in Australia which is a lot because we only have two days of recovery in between. Just like what we did in the last round, all the players that did not start game one will start game two because of the short recovery time.”
Auvray also added that maintaining team chemistry is crucial, indicating that during training, players mix frequently to ensure they can adapt to various game scenarios. “Everybody must play; it is so important. I think that most of the players understand that there is no starter, everybody has a chance to play,” he said.
Despite this inclusive strategy, four players will be sidelined due to injuries. Gabiriele Matanisiga is dealing with back issues, while Ryan Naresh, Delon Shankar, and Veleni Rasorewa are also recovering. Auvray noted that while Naresh was regaining form, he sustained an injury in New Zealand. He also expressed optimism about the promising abilities of the younger players like Veleni, who is gradually returning to fitness.
The upcoming match with Vanuatu United is set to kick off at 1 PM at the Olympic Village in Melbourne, Australia. Extra Bula FC looks to maximize their roster and use their collective strength to navigate this demanding series of fixtures successfully. Fans and players alike remain hopeful that with effective rotation and preparation, the team can achieve positive results in the league.