Organisers expect fireworks at futsal championship

FIREWORKS will surely explode when the 2020 Vodafone Futsal Inter District Championship kicks off tomorrow at FMF Gymnasium in Suva.

National futsal coach Mira Sahib anticipates a tough battle in group stages.

“This year we have increased the teams to ten after a successful 2019 Vodafone Futsal IDC this year which is going to be more competitive and intense matches,” said Sahib.

“Navua has proved they are a team to reckon with after finishing top in the Southern Zone Vodafone Futsal League after joining this season while Labasa also looks a strong side with all district reps.”

Sahib says all the teams will be equally competitive.

“We can’t count out Tavua, Tailevu Naitasiri and Nadroga as they are also good teams and will come in as underdogs in the tournament,” he said.

The opening match will be a thrilling one as the defending champion Suva will take on Vodafone Futsal League Southern Zone champion Navua side at 4pm on Thursday December 3rd.

Navua will be making their debut in the tournament after finishing top in this year’s competition. Both teams played in the league after Navua came out victors 5-4.

Last year’s semi-finalists Rewa will take Nadroga at 5.15pm while Lami will take on AL – Hamd Nadi side at 6.30pm and final match on Day One will be between Ba and Tailevu Naitasiri.

Friday: 10am Navua vs Nadroga (GA), 11.15am Suva vs Labasa (GA), 12.30pm Nadi vs Tailevu Naitasiri (GB), 1.45pm Lami vs Tavua (GB), 4pm Nadroga vs Labasa (GA), 5.15pm Navua vs Rewa (GA), 6.30pm Tailevu Naitasiri vs Tavua (GB), 7.45pm Nadi vs Ba (GB)

Saturday: 10am Rewa vs Suva (GA), 11.15am Labasa vs Navua (GA), 12.30pm Ba vs Lami (GB), 1.45pm Tavua vs Nadi (GB) , 4pm Labasa vs Rewa (GA), 5.15pm Nadroga vs Suva (GA), 6.30pm Tavua vs Ba (GB), 7.45pm Tailevu Naitasiri vs Lami (GB)

Sunday: 10am Winner (Group A) vs Runner up (Group B) (SF1), 11.15am Winner (Group B) vs Runner up (Group A) (SF2), 12.30pm Fifth Place (Group A) vs Fifth Place (Group B) (9th/10th), 1.45pm Fourth Place (Group A) vs Fourth Place (Group B) (7th/8th). 3pm Third Place (Group A) vs Third Place (Group B) (5th/6th), 4.15pm Loser (Semi-final 1) vs Loser (Semifinal 2) (3rd/4th), 5.30pm Winner (Semi-final 1) vs Winner (Semifinal 2) (Final)

7pm Presentation