New-look Ba ready to fight for their 25th IDC title in Fiji

Despite losing to Labasa by 2-1 on this Thursday, Ba advanced to 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) semi-finals which means that the Men in Black have the opportunity to clinch the IDC title for the 25th time in the history.

The team coached by Ronil Kumar is used to clinch titles as Ba is the team with most football titles in Fiji. However, winning the IDC this season would be something special for the current Vodafone Premier League champions.

It is important to remember that Ba’s squad changed a lot in the past months. Eleven of the 22 players who represented the Men in Black in the 2019 Inter-District Championship are no longer in the team while Manasa Nawakula and Saula Waqa are suspended after failing a drug test.

Ba’s squad changed a lot in the past months – Fiji FA Media

Head coach Ronil Kumar had to work the extra mile to build another strong squad. Currently in the third position at Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier league from Fiji – Ba is still alive in the fight for the national title. However, winning the 2020 IDC will have a huge impact on the squad, as it would be the first title for many players wearing Ba’s jersey.

The next challenge of the Men in Black is going to be against their biggest rivals Lautoka on Saturday. The winner of this clash will advance to 2020 IDC finals. You can check more information about this tournament by clicking here.

Suva’s dream of winning the IDC title at home is over

Currently in the second position at Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier league from Fiji – Suva was considered one of the favourite teams to win the Inter-District Championship this year. The Capital City Boys also had the support of the fans, as the tournament is being played at ANZ Stadium.

Suva did not have a good start in the tournament as they lost to Nasinu in the opening day. However, the 4-2 victory against their biggest rivals Rewa was a huge boost for team coached by Babs Khan in the fight for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Capital City Boys counted on the crowd support against Lautoka in the final clash of the group stage. After starting the match on the bench, Christopher Wasasala and Sairusi Nalaubu – two of Suva’s most important players – came to the pitch in the 26th minute to replace Semi Matalau and Jonetani Buksh.

After a nil-nil draw in the first half, anxiety took over Suva’s crowd until the 67th minute when Wasasala scored a beautiful goal to put his side ahead. This 1-0 victory would be enough to book a spot in the semi-finals but Lautoka managed to equalize a few minutes later with a goal scored by Malakai Rakula.

Suva did not manage to beat Lautoka – Fiji FA Media

The goal scored by Rakula threw cold water on Suva’s motivation. At the final whistle, the score was an 1-1 draw and the Capital City Boys were knocked-out of the tournament. On the other hand, celebration took over Lautoka’s players and staff as they advanced to the semi-finals.

After reaching Inter-District Championship’s final in the past two editions, Suva will have to wait one more year to fight for this title again while Lautoka will face their biggest rivals Ba in the semi-finals on Saturday. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Valevou’s brace pushes Rewa into IDC semi-finals in Fiji

Current Vodafone Premier League leaders Rewa reached the last matchday of 2020 Inter-District Championship’s group stage with a tough mission: beating Nasinu by a big goal margin to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Rewa’s head coach Marika Rodu knew that it would not be an easy challenge as they had many difficulties to beat Nasinu in the league matches earlier this year. Anyway the Delta Tigers came to the pitch confident that they could make it.

Epeli Valevou scored twice in the first half to put a smile on the face of Rewa fans. The Delta Tigers were even stronger in the second half as Bruce Hughes and Mohammed Naizal came from the bench to replace Shavnil Prasad and Misaele Draunibaka. However, Nasinu was the first team to celebrate a goal in the second half when Isikeli Ratucava scored a wonderful goal by lobbing Rewa’s goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau.

Valevou scored twice for Rewa – Fiji FA Media

Nasinu did not have much time to celebrate as Patrick Joseph scored two minutes later. France Catarogo and Mohammed Naizal also scored once each in the final minutes of the clash to seal Rewa’s 5-1 win – a result that put the Delta Tigers in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Rewa will face Labasa in the semi-finals. The match is scheduled be contested on Saturday at ANZ Stadium in Suva. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Oriana takes Honiara City forward against Southern United in Telekom S-League

The ninth matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League reached its end as Honiara City and Southern United clashed at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of the Solomon Islands. Despite the bad performance, Honiara City managed to beat their opponents to reach the fourth position in the table.

Cleophas Oriana opened the scoreboard for Honiara City in the 23rd minute. Oriana almost scored his second goal of the day but it was saved by Southern’s goalkeeper Junior Fika. However, Junior Annie was there to push the ball into the net to extend City’s lead.

Cleophas Oriana opened the scoreboard for Honiara City – Telekom S-League Media

Southern United’s winger Shane Qoloni managed to find the net in the second half to put his side back to contention but Alick Solo scored City’s third goal to seal the 3-1 win to reach the fourth position in the table while Southern remain in the tenth position with only three points in eight matches. You can check more information about 2020 Telekom S-League by clicking here.

Bua, Nadroga and Tailevu Naitasiri advance to Senior Division’s IDC semi-finals

The second matchday of 2020 Senior Division’s Inter-District Championship (IDC) is over and three teams are already qualified for the semi-finals: Bua, Nadroga and Tailevu Naitasiri. All these three teams have six points in two matches and they are waiting for the fourth team that will contest the semi-finals.

Nadroga have beaten Tavua by 1-0 while Bua smashed Nadogo by 6-2 with four goals scored by Mohammed Zaid. Tailevu Naitasiri defeated Dreketi by 3-1 in the Group A to qualify for the upcoming stage. I the other match of the day, Seaqaqa have beaten Rakiraki by 3-1.

Bua advanced to 2020 Senior Division’s IDC semi-finals – Fiji FA Media

Dreketi and Rakiraki will today face off at the Uprising Resort Ground in Navua, in a game that will decide which team will go through the semi-finals and which team will go home. You can check more information about 2020 Senior Division’s IDC by clicking here.

Ba one step away from IDC semi-finals in Fiji

We cannot talk about Fijian football without talking about Ba. The Men in Black are the most successful team in the country and now they are one step away from reaching 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) semi-finals to fight for the title.

Ba reached four points in two matches after beating Navua by 2-0 with goals scored by Solomon Islands’ forward Darold Kakasi and 26-year-old midfielder Savenaca Nakalevu. Kakasi is one of the top scorers of the tournament with three goals.

Ba’s starting eleven against Navua at 2020 IDC – Fiji FA Media

The team coached by Ronil Kumar just need to grab one point against Labasa in the final clash of the group stage to book a spot in the semi-finals. The Men in Black have won the Inter-District Championship 24 times and they are eager to win this title which they have not won since 2015. You can check more information about 2020 IDC by clicking here.

Labasa bounce back as Lolaivalu shines against Nadi at IDC

After a bad start at 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC), Labasa are back on the right track by smashing Nadi by 4-0 at ANZ Stadium in Suva to stay alive in the fight for a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Ilisoni Lolaivalu opened the scoreboard for Babasiga Lions in the fourth minute after a nice cross by Siotame Kubu while Ratu Anare extended the lead eleven minutes later. Lolaivalu managed to score his second goal of the match in the 54th minute and Ilaisa Vulimainavuso came from the bench to find the net in stoppage time to seal the 4-0 win.

Lolaivalu scored twice for Labasa – Fiji FA Media

Labasa’s final match in the group stage will be a do-or-die clash against Ba. Babasiga Lions fans have high expectations for this game as they want to see Labasa winning the Inter-District Championship for the second straight year. You can check the current IDC standings by clicking here.

Dave Radrigai’s experience to be missed by Lautoka at IDC

One of Lautoka’s most experienced players, Dave Radrigai is not going to play in today’s match against Suva in the final day of 2020 Inter-District Championship’s group stage due to suspension. The 30-year-old forward was shown the red card following a second cautionable offense against Nasinu.

Despite being a regular starter at Lautoka, Radrigai is living a bad moment in the season as he has not scored since July. He had the opportunity to get back on track against Nasinu by scoring from the penalty box but he missed it.

Dave Radrigai did not have a good game against Nasinu – Fiji FA Media

While Radrigai did not have a good day in the 2-1 win over Nasinu, youngster Shivam Naidu was the hero of the day by scoring twice. Nasinu’s goal was scored by 2020 Battle of the Giants’ top scorer Jasnit Vikash from the penalty spot.

Lautoka are currently leading the Group A with four points in two matches. The team coached by Ravinesh Kumar just need to grab one point against Suva to book their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Sairusi Nalaubu shines as Suva beat Rewa at 2020 IDC

The second day of 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) was a very interesting one as there were some exciting matches including the derby between Rewa and Suva – two of the most important football teams in Fiji.

Christopher Wasasala opened the scoreboard for Suva in the 12th minute but the hero of day was his teammate Sairusu Nalaubu who netted a hat-trick to lead the Capital City Boys against their biggest rivals. Nalaubu is now one of the top scorers of the tournament alongside Ba’s youngster Darold Kakasi with three goals each.

Nalaubu (white jersey) scored a hat-trick against Rewa – Fiji FA Media

Rewa’s forward Bruce Hughes scored twice from the penalty spot but it was not enough as they were defeated by 4-2. The Delta Tigers are now in a difficult situation with only one point in two matches while Suva are in second with three points. You can check the current IDC standings by clicking here.

Lautoka lose first choice goalkeeper due to injury

One of the most traditional teams from Fiji, Lautoka had a good start at 2020 Inter-District Championship. Despite the 1-1 draw against Rewa, the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar performed in a decent level which brings lots of hopes to Lautoka supporters.

The bad news is that first choice goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua got injured in the 80th minute after fouling an opponent inside the box. He was replaced by Viliame Tabucala who saved the penalty kick taken by Setareki Hughes to keep Lautoka ahead. However, the Bluez did not manage to grab the three points because Gabriele Matanisiga equalized in the last minute of the game.

There is no further information about Biuvanua’s injury. Anyway he is expected to miss the clash against Nasinu in the second matchday of the tournament which means that Tabucala must be Lautoka’s starting goalkeeper today. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.