Ups and Downs of the B.O.G
The first two days of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament brought with it the usual thrills, spills and drama seen during tournament football. The heavy rain over the weekend forced the last round of pool matches to be postponed to Friday this week and there is a lot still left to play for.
The first two days of competition saw 24 goals scored across eight matches, with two big 4-0 wins for Lautoka (v Nasinu) and Nadi (v Rewa).
Suva recorded the biggest win of the tournament on Saturday, brutally beating Tavua 8-1 to knock the Westerners out of the tournament.
The Fiji Football Association also held random drug tests on the first two days of competition, with five players reportedly found positive for an unknown banned substance. All that combined for an engaging two days of football, even though the weather made it difficult for teams to express themselves and play with intensity.
With days to go for the tournament’s resumption, here is a look at the ups and downs from the first two days:
UPS
1. Young players rising to the occasion
Some of the young players that have featured in the tournament haven’t looked out of place among the big boys.
Names that come to mind are Nasinu’s Manasa Levaci, Suva’s Sairusi Nalaubu, Nadi’s Jeshal Kumar, Lautoka’s Sekove Finau, Ba’s Simione Nabenu, Labasa’s Siotame Kubu and Rewa’s Inoke Turagalailai.
These players are the future of Fijian football, provided they are given the right environment to grow and further their careers.
2. Ex-players recognised
Fiji FA recognised the contribution of former Ba forward Inia Bola, former Labasa defender Gordan Leewai, former Nadi and Ba forward Zikar Ali and former Rewa midfielder Onnie Wong.
The four were given a rousing reception by the fans as Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel and Roy Krishna presented them with the Legends medal.
3. Crowd turnout
Despite the adverse weather conditions last Friday, spectators came in droves to watch their favourite teams on day one of competition. The numbers decreased markedly the following day because of the worsening conditions.
It was a reminder to the organisers that interest in football, although appearing dormant at times, remains huge.
The call then by Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar for FFA to do more to improve football standards was apt and timely.
DOWNS
1. Drug test
Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf has confirmed that five players tested positive for banned substances.
Yusuf says they will release more information, including the nature of the substance used and names of the players, this afternoon. Only the names of repeat offenders will be released, he said.
Yusuf said one of players slipped away from the room while the tests were being conducte, in what was viewed as an attempt to avoid the process. The player has been given a positive result.
2. Weather
The weather conditions were horrendous.
It kept the fans away, hampered the football and increased risks of player injury.
The matches should have been postponed on Saturday but carried on for a day longer before common sense prevailed.
3. Referees need to step up
Some of the refereeing decisions at the tournament were questionable at best, blatantly wrong at worst.
The rules were applied inconsistently at times, risking loss of control and tension during matches – and attracting the ire of the crowd.
It is probably time to invest more in improving local refereeing standards.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua