Rewa finish IDC group stage unbeaten as hosts Suva bow out without a win

Defending champions Rewa FC completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign at the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship following a 1-1 draw against hosts Suva FC at HFC Bank Stadium on Thursday evening. Goals from Semi Matalau for Rewa and New Zealand-based James Hoyt for Suva settled the final Super Premier fixture of the day, leaving the Delta Tigers at the top of Group A with seven points and confirming the hosts’ elimination.

The encounter brought together two teams experiencing contrasting campaigns. Rewa had already secured qualification following emphatic victories over Nasinu and Labasa, while Suva entered their final group match with their hopes of reaching the semi-finals already extinguished. Nevertheless, the Whites managed to produce a more competitive result against a Rewa side that had dominated its previous opponents, becoming the first team to score against the defending champions in this year’s tournament.

James Hoyt’s goal provided one of the few positive moments of Suva’s disappointing campaign. The New Zealand-based player was among four overseas reinforcements brought into Pita Rabo’s squad specifically for the IDC, alongside Emosi Navaba, Andrew Naicker and Shiville Salesh Kumar. His contribution against the defending champions demonstrated the potential value of those additions, although Suva ultimately could not transform their investment in the squad into a place in the knockout stage.

For Rewa, Semi Matalau ensured the Delta Tigers would finish their group campaign without defeat. The attacker, who scored three goals during the 2026 Fiji Premier League season, added his name to Rewa’s IDC goalscorers alongside Merrill Nand, Josaia Sela, Ramzan Khan and Epeli Valevou. His contribution helped preserve the team’s unbeaten record after their defence was breached for the first time in the competition.

The 1-1 result represented a considerably closer contest than Rewa’s previous two group matches. The defending champions began their campaign with a 5-0 demolition of Nasinu, with Merrill Nand scoring twice, before producing another convincing performance against Labasa on Wednesday. After a scoreless first half against the Babasiga Lions, Josaia Sela broke the deadlock and Nand added another two goals to complete a 3-0 victory that guaranteed Rewa’s progression.

Against Suva, however, the Delta Tigers were unable to reproduce the same attacking efficiency. Although both teams found the net, neither managed to secure the victory, and the points were shared at the final whistle. For Rewa, the result was sufficient to complete the group stage with two victories, one draw, nine goals scored and only one conceded.

Suva, meanwhile, concluded the competition with two points from three matches, having scored four goals and conceded five. Their campaign began with a frustrating 2-1 defeat against Labasa, when Christopher Wasasala scored a dramatic late winner after Andrew Naicker had brought the hosts level. On Wednesday, Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni scored twice against Nasinu, but Suva surrendered the lead on two occasions and eventually settled for a 2-2 draw.

Those results left the capital city side needing a combination of favourable outcomes to remain in contention. Labasa’s 2-1 victory over Nasinu earlier on Thursday ultimately settled the qualification race, leaving Suva’s final encounter against Rewa without any possibility of changing their position in the group.

The elimination represents another setback for a Suva side that entered the IDC hoping to challenge for a 15th championship title. Playing on home soil and strengthened by overseas-based footballers, the Whites had reasons for optimism, particularly after showing encouraging performances during September’s Battle of the Giants. However, their inability to protect leads and convert competitive performances into victories proved costly throughout the group stage.

Rewa’s attention now turns to Saturday’s semi-final against Navua, who finished second in Group B after drawing 0-0 with Lautoka. The Southerners also completed the group stage unbeaten, having defeated Nadi 3-0 and recovered from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Ba.

The meeting will offer Rewa another opportunity to move closer to retaining the IDC title they captured in 2025, ending a 15-year wait for the trophy. Having lost the Fiji Premier League championship to Ba and suffered defeat against the Men in Black in September’s Battle of the Giants final, the Delta Tigers are determined to finish the domestic season with another major honour.

While Thursday’s draw ended Rewa’s perfect defensive record, their overall campaign has demonstrated the consistency required to compete for the championship. With seven points and nine goals from three matches, the defending champions enter the knockout stage unbeaten, while Suva must reflect on a tournament that ended without a single victory.