The Vodafone Fiji Under-19 football side will play American Samoa in its opening match of the World Cup play-offs in Suva on May 23.

The competition, which starts on the same day, sees Fiji take on the minnows at 2.30pm at the ANZ Stadium in the opening match of the tournament.

The second game is against New Caledonia at 7.30pm on May 25, followed by the clash against Papua New Guinea at 2.30pm on May 27.

The youngsters face Vanuatu at 5pm on May 29 before playing the Solomon Islands at 7.30pm on May 31.

Fiji coach Ravinesh Kumar says the sidecurrently on tour in New Zealand is gearing up well.

“Of course yes playing at home will be an advantage for the team. With the crowd support, the players will be more confident in front of their fans. They did very well last year and that is what we are trying to do this year to the best of our performance and prove to be the best.”

The winner of the play-offs qualifies for the Under-20 World Cup to be played in New Zealand next year.

Meanwhile, the Fijian youngsters take on the New Zealand U20 in a warm-up match in Auckland at 6.30pm today.