The group stage of 2020 Fiji FACT is over. Four teams went back home while Labasa, Nadi, Rewa and Suva are still alive to fight for this important title in the last football competition of the current Fijian football season.
After finishing the group stage unbeaten, Rewa will face Nadi in the semifinals. The Delta Tigers scored twelve goals in three matches so far in the tournament and they are the favourites to advance to the final. Rewa’s key players like Inoke Turagalailai and Tevita Waranaivalu have rested in the 7-0 victory over Nasinu to be ready to go all out against Nadi.
On the other hand, Nadi proved themselves as a very competitive side this year, and the Green Machine want to lift Fiji FACT’s trophy for the second straight year. Head coach Kamal Swamy relies on key players like Rusiate Matarerega and Avinesh Suwamy, who scored twice against Navua, to defeat Rewa: “We need to come out with a good plan so that we can counter them,” said Swamy to FBC Sports.
Fiji FACT hosts Labasa will meet Suva in the fight for a spot in the final. After losing the opening match, Labasa bounced back by beating Nasinu and Ba to finish the group stage in the second position. The Babasiga Lions have already won the Inter-District Championship, and lifting Fiji FACT’s trophy at home would be something really special for them, specially for Taniela Waqa who is going to retire from football after this tournament.
Despite the defeat to Lautoka in group stage’s final day, Suva advanced to the semifinals. However, head coach Babs Khan must have to deal with the absence of five players against Labasa: Beniaminio Mateinaqara, Christopher Wasasala, Kalisito Veikoka, Kelvin Naidu and Laisenia Raura. Anyway, Khan relies on powerful forward Sairusi Nalaubu, who is living a blessed season, to win the last tournament of the season.
Both matches are going to be contested at Subrail Park this Saturday. You can check more information about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 