Oceania Football Center

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.

Gabriele Matanisiga: Rewa’s hero at IDC opening day

The opening day of 2020 Inter-District Championship was a very exciting one and the breathtaking clash between Lautoka and Rewa summarises it perfectly. Despite not having a bright season, Lautoka showed that they can be a competitive side against the Delta Tigers.

Lautoka opened the scoreboard in the 15th minute with a goal scored by Sitiveni Cavuilagi after a quick counter attack. Despite all efforts, Rewa could not find the net to equalize and then head coach Marika Rodu decided to make some changes.

The Bluez were keeping their advantage as the match was coming to its end. Cavuilagi had the chance to score his second goal but his shot sailed over the crossbar. On the other hand, Rewa’s Setareki Hughes had a huge chance to score from the penalty spot but it was saved by the keeper. Despite that, the Delta Tigers did not give in as Marika Rodu kept shouting out the instructions from the sideline. Rewa’s efforts paid off as Gabriele Matanisiga found the net to equalize in the final minute of the game. At the final whistle, the score was an 1-1 draw.

Matanisiga scored in the final minute to save Rewa from losing

The clash against Lautoka was a very difficult one to Rewa. The Delta Tigers now have to focus on today’s match against their biggest rivals Suva in order to keep fighting for a spot in the semi-finals. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Misiwani Nairube back from injury as Ba debut at 2020 IDC in Fiji

Ba and Nadi clashed at ANZ Stadium in Suva in the first matchday of 2020 Inter-District Championship – one of the most important football tournaments from Fiji. Despite all efforts, Ba did not manage to win and the final score was a 2-2 draw.

The good news for Men in Black fans is that Misiwani Nairube is finally back from injury. The 24-year-old goalkeeper came from the bench in the second half to replace Isikeli Sevanaia and to make his first official appearance since July.

Nairube got injured during Ba’s 2-1 win over Lautoka at Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier league from Fiji and since then 17-year-old Sevanaia became Ba’s starting goalkeeper. Now he is fully recovered and ready to strengthen the Men in Black’s squad.

Ba’s next match in the tournament will be today against Navua at ANZ Stadium in Suva. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Nadroga thrash Nadogo to reinforce their favouritism at Senior Division’s IDC

The first day of 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) is over and Nadroga fans did not have to wait for the next match to celebrate a big win as he team coached by Johnny Williams have thrashed Nadogo by 11-3 at Uprising Resort Ground in Navua.

Taniela Raubula scored four goals while team captain Tomasi Tuicakau and Jonas Naceva found the net three times each to lead Nadroga against Nadogo. Goalkeeper Sakeo Taganeca scored Nadroga’s remaining goal from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. The bad news is that 27-year-old midfielder Waisea Tale saw the red card in the second half which means that he is not going to be available for the next match against Tavua.

SEE ALSO
Nadroga aiming for a perfect season in Fiji

Nadroga have beaten Nadogo by 11-3 at Uprising Resort Ground – *Fiji FA Media*

Three other matches were contested at Uprising Resort Ground on this rainy Tuesday: In the Group A, Tailevu Naitasiri have beaten Rakiraki by 2-0 while Seaqaqa and Dreketi did not score in a nil-nil draw. In the Group B, Bua defeated Tavua by 2-1 with goals scored by forward Kaliveti Nateru and goalkeeper Ritesh Chand. Tavua’s goal was netted by Pauliasi Natikibau.

All eight teams will be back to the pitch today for the second matchday of the tournament. You can check more information about Senior Division’s 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Zahid’s absence to bring more problems to Men in Black at IDC

Ba did not have a great start at 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) as they did not manage to beat Nadi in the opening day of the tournament. Moreover, Ba’s head coach Ronil Kumar now has to deal with the absence of Abbu Zahid who is going to miss the next two matches due to suspension

Zahid was shown a direct red card for a violent conduct offense on Nadi’s defender Vuniuci Tikomaimereke in the final minute of the first half. The 29-year-old forward is one of the most experienced players in Ba’s squad and his absence will be felt by his teammates inside the pitch.

Zahid was shown a direct red card against Nadi

It is important to remember that Manasa Nawakula and Saula Waqa are not with the team in this tournament as they were suspended after failing a drug test at Battle of the Giants two months ago. Ronil Kumar now relies on a very young squad that has the mission to take Ba to IDC semi-finals.

Ba’s next match will be against Navua that are currently leading Group B after beating Labasa by 1-0. You can check more information about 2020 Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Solomon Islanders shine at IDC opening day in Fiji

The first day of 2020 Inter-District Championship (IDC) was contested at ANZ Stadium in Suva on this Tuesday and it was a very special day for two young players from Solomon Islands: Darold Kakasi and Marlon Nonone.

Kakasi scored two goals for Ba in the 2-2 draw against Nadi while Nonone scored Nasinu’s winning goal against Suva in his first ever match at Inter-District Championship: “It is a great feeling to score my first goal at IDC and the winning goal for the team,” said Nonone to FBC News after the match.

Kakasi (left) and Nonone (right) had major roles in 2020 IDC’s opening day matches – *Fiji FA Media*

Both players will be back to the pitch today for the second matchday of the tournament. Kakasi’s Ba is going to face Navua while Nonone’s Nasinu will face Lautoka. Both matches are going to be contested at ANZ Stadium in Suva. You can check more information about 2020 IDC by clicking here.