Reds’ coach predicts tough match

Written by Filo Taituuga

Tau’uta Red players go through a rigorous gym session at PJs gym at Vaimea. Photo: Tofilau Uelese Tofilau.

Tau’uta Reds Coach Fuka Kitekeia’ho is predicting Friday night’s clash with Upolu Samoa to be a very tough match.
The former Ikale Tahi midfielder says last weeks win against Savaii Samoa was definitely a good morale and confidence booster heading into this week’s game.

Fuka admits for his team, it’s back to the drawing board and resetting players’ mindsets to prepare for a new challenge.  “I think this is going to be a tougher match than the Savaii game,” he said.

“We were lucky against Savaii, but we know looking at Upolu’s results against Tautahi Gold, it will be a big challenge for us this week.”  “Upolu has returned from Tonga with a very good win up their sleeve and they will probably be our biggest test.”

Fuka says they were restricted to playing kicking football in the first spell against Savaii, and he instructed his players to keep the ball in hand and to take on Savaii up front in the second spell.

“The boys play a very strong running game, and we tried to use that to create space to get the ball wide to our very fast wingers.”

"Savaii did a very good job defensively to disrupt our game and did well to delay our ball.”  “We knew in the second half we had to keep possession and take them on.”  The Reds showed on Friday night they have the ability and confidence to play a tight and open game.

They also demonstrated that they have immense confidence in their bench, rolling substitutions for key positions at crucial periods of the match.  “We are very confident in all our boys, and I know they too are confident we have utmost faith in them out on the field.”  Fuka says working with the core of his players over the last few years and understanding them also helps to bring the best out of them.

“They’re a very talented bunch of boys and they listen, so it’s good.”  “We know Upolu have a very strong young side and we most probably will keep the same starting line-up.”  Fuka makes no secret that they will be playing to their strengths taking Upolu up front and endeavouring to move the ball wide.

“The boys had Friday and Saturday off and returned back to camp on Sunday, and now we’re back into it today (yesterday).”   Friday night’s clash with Upolu Samoa is certainly set to alight plenty of fire works no doubt.