Tailevu/Naitasiri will debut against Nadi in the Galaxy Premier League at Ratu Cakobau Park tomorrow.

Under the guidance of Elvis Gounder,who  last coached Tailevu/Naitasiri in 2008,  has been called in to stand in as coach as Tagi Vonolagi is in Malaysia.

Fitness will be the sole focus in training as Gounder considers it a crucial part in any game or sport.

“The games will be much tougher now because players will be playing for 90 minutes and because of that, I have been focusing on player fitness,” Gounder said.

“Fitness is really important, players can have the skills to play soccer but if fitness is not there they cannot use their skills to the best of its ability and they will be tired and fatigued and that is where we can lose the game.”

Gounder said their first game against Nadi will be a platform to gauge the players and what needs to be improved.  “Going up against Nadi will not be easy but winning against them is not impossible.

“But either way we will be giving our all in this first match.”

Meanwhile, Tailevu Naitasiri Football Association president Sandeep Roy said the players will not be venturing into something new as they have already got a taste of what top level football is about.

“We got a gist of what the pressure and the increased level of football felt like when we played in the Courts Inter-District Championship last year,” Roy said.

“The players know what they have to do and we have been training really hard. We have got this far and we are not prepared to let this opportunity slip through our fingers, so we will be trying our best come Saturday.”

Roy has also encouraged fans to come down in numbers to support the team especially when they will be hosting the opening round of the National League.

Tailevu/ Naitasiri plays Nadi at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori at 3pm.

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