2 Nov 2018

Sport: Roy Krisha embraces leadership role

3:38 pm on 2 November 2018

Fiji football captain Roy Krishna has embraced his new-found role as a senior member of the Wellington Phoenix.

The Labasa-born 31-year-old is approaching his fifth anniversary in the A-League and is the club's joint all-time leading goal scorer with 33, after netting in the 2-1 opening round win against Newcastle United two weeks ago.

Roy Krishna celebrates his goal against the Newcastle Jets, which made him the club's joint all-time leading scorer.

Roy Krishna celebrates his goal against the Newcastle Jets, which made him the club's joint all-time leading scorer. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Krishna is used to taking a leadership role with the Fiji national team but with Phoenix captain Andrew Durante the only current teammate with more appearances for the Wellington side, he now views himself as a leader with Wellington too.

"When you pass the 30 [year-old] mark you're part of that old group but we've got some young boys as well - Liberato Cacace and Sarpreet Singh who's a good leader as well - but yeah I'm one of the leaders," said Krishna, who declined to comment on the status of his New Zealand citizenship application.

"The strikers they come to be, ask where to be on the field and when you're off the ball with your positioning and stuff.

"Yeah I help the young boys and it helps be a lot when I go back home and help the young kids [in Fiji] as well."

Roy Krishna playing for Fiji against New Zealand in 2017.

Roy Krishna playing for Fiji against New Zealand in 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

As he closes in on a century of appearances up front for the Phoenix, the 2016 Rio Olympian is also beginning to make his presence felt at the other end of the pitch.

"All defending starts from the front-line and you all have to get back behind the ball and help the team. We all work as a team as we defend and as we go forwards," he said.

"It was not part of my game but the gaffer [Mark Rudan] said this is about the team and that's what we have been doing the whole pre-season. I'm enjoying it and I'm feeling great and it shows on the field."

Roy Krishna debuted for the Phoenix back in 2014.

Roy Krishna debuted for the Phoenix back in 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT