Final cracker
LABASA, SUVA TO DECIDE WHO IS IN ‘FACT’ THE CHAMP
A TEAM from the North and one from the South will play the 2022 Digicel Fiji FACT final on Western soil today.
Defending champions Suva will face high flying Labasa in the final at Lawaqa Park.
In two entertaining semi-finals yesterday, which saw 10 goals scored, Suva and Labasa overcame Lautoka and Ba respectively to book their ticket to the final in the first tournament of the year.
Suva edged Lautoka 2-1 while Labasa came back from 2-nil down to beat Ba 4-3.
If the semi-finals are anything to go by, expect a cracker of a final when the two teams take the field today.
Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said the semi-finals were entertaining as some good football was witnessed by fans present.
“They were great games in the semifinals. The fans pushed their teams to the limit, and that is something great to be seen. We saw 10 goals in the two semifinals which really hyped up things at Lawaqa Park,” Yusuf said.
He added that a cracker of a final is expected.
“We expect a cracker of a game in the final. Suva and Labasa have been great in this tournament and to meet in the final at a neutral venue will be something amazing to witness.
“We urge the fans to come out in numbers and support their teams as crowd support got the teams in the final.” The Fiji FACT final kicks off at 3pm. The winner of the final will walk away $17,000 rich while the runner-up will get $5000. Ba and Lautoka will receive $1000 each for reaching the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the semi-finals and final of the RC Manubhai/Apco coatings Fiji FA International Veterans tournament will also be played at Lawaqa Park today. The first semi-final kicks off at 8.30am while the second kicks off at 9.20am. The veterans’ final will be at 2pm.
FIJI’S first semi-professional footballer, former Ba and national captain Esala Masi has called for attitude change from localbased players if they want a professional football career.
The former A-League player who now lives in Australia, made the call on the eve of the Digicel Fiji FACT final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka today.
He urges young footballers to be dedicated to the sport with a lot of discipline if they are to pursue a professional career overseas.
“Players need to respect football if they want to earn a professional contract,” Masi said.
He is in the country representing the Brisbane Bula Boys at the 2022 RC Manubhai/Apco Coating International Veterans Championship at Lawaqa Park.
The 48-year-old played for semi-professional club Wollongong Wolves, helping them win the 1999-2000 Australian National Soccer League title.
He made 77 appearances for the Wolves before signing a full professional contract with New