Blues look good on paper, ready for clash
DESIGN Engineering/All in One Builders Lautoka FC looks one of the stronger sides, at least on paper, at the 2022 All in One Cakes and Restaurant Pacific Community Cup at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The Blues have secured the service of former national football head coach Christopher Gamel and will see the return of top striker Sairusi Nalaubu and Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni.
The side will be out to defend its title after failing to win major titles this season.
In the last edition of the tournament in 2019 Lautoka defeated Labasa 1-0 in the final via a goal from Samuela Gavo at Bill McKinley Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
In the semi-finals, Lautoka won 3-1 over Nadi while Labasa defeated AUFFI All Stars 1-0.
The Sugar City Boys are drawn in tough pool with Digicel Fiji FACT and Courts IDC Champions Suva FC, Punjas Battle of the Giants winners Labasa, and NZFFI All Stars in Group B.
The strike force of Nalaubu and Feni will be unstoppable as the duo combined well during their stint with Suva a few years back.
Lautoka has a set of capable players like goalkeeper Benaminio Mateiniqara, Kolinio Sivoki, Zibraaz Sahib, Alfraz Ali, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Aprosa Yada, Muni Shivam Naidu, and Ba imports Saula Waqa, Manasa Nawakula, and Akash Sharma to name a few.
The Blues will start its campaign against NZFFI All-Stars on an opening day on Thursday, November 24 at 8pm, while the second match will be against Labasa on Friday at 7.15pm. Their final pool match will be against Suva on Saturday at 5pm. ■