Fijian Soccer League into its 4th week of league games this weekend.
May 26th, 2019: The Fijian Soccer Leagues week 4 league games will resume this weekend at the Bear Creek Park and North Surrey Secondary School field. As usual, Bear Creek Park will feature youth games followed by an exciting Masters 35 game in the afternoon between Ba and Nadi at 2.00pm. Both teams have veterans with experience and young players. Currently, on the score standing, Nadi is on the lead with nine points and Ba is reeling behind with six but a game short.
Other games of the day will be as follows;
Bear Creek Park:
2pm…..Ba vs Nadi and at 3.45pm Civic Old Boys vs Viti Boys
North Surrey Secondary School Field:
9.30am……..Nadro vs Lautoka (45 Div)
11.15am…..Labasa vs Tavua (45 Div)
1.00pm……Lautoka vs Samabula (35 Div)
3.00pm……Rewa vs Flying Arrows.
(by Irshad Khan – July 12th, 2012)
The 28th Fijian Soccer Leagues Inter-district Championship (IDC) tournament turned out to be a huge success last weekend (July 7-8) on a bright sunny day. Word of success and achievement was echoed at the conclusion of the tournament. Fourteen team officials representing their individual district of Fiji prepared their teams for months to enter this tournament, from fundraising, team uniforms to player recruiting and registration. Come Saturday morning, tents were set across the park at different locations to blotch their base. Officials were seen unloading their vehicles with food, beverage and team uniforms for the preparation of the day, and by the end of Sunday afternoon many teams with big name players were egress early in the tournament and only one team in each division (Masters and Premier) came out to be the final winner. Nadi thumped Suva 3-2 in the premier final and Ba beat Rewa 1-0 in the Masters final, a game which was observed by hundreds of spectators sitting in the pavilion at the Newton Athletic Park in Surrey. Over three hundred players participated in this two day tournament to compete and display their skills with individual teams. Competition was seen at the peak level amongst the players due to the end of league season where players were seen at the highest fitness level with their tempo and agility . Rylan Sangha from Nadi Premier was considered as the best and most outstanding player of the tournament in his premier division when he was awarded the most prestigious Fijian Soccer League award-Most Valuable player (MVP) award, and in the same division- Javed Khan from Nadi was awarded with Golden Boot trophy having scored 8 goals in the whole tournament. Masters MVP was awarded to Ba’s Kartik Kumar for playing an outstanding role as a solid defense by keeping Rewa’s forward at bay in the final. Three golden boot recipients for masters division were tied at 4 goals each. Sunny Ali and Prem Naicker, both from Rewa with Nadrogas Jason Verma. Hat draw took place in presence of everyone at the presentation and Nadroga Masters Jason Verma was drawn as the recipient of 2012 Masters IDC golden boot trophy. The tournament successfully ended-up with a best discipline record in decade, with only three red cards for minor offences in the whole tournament. FSLGV- President Mr Harry Gopal concluded the tournament by expressing gratitude towards all the team officials,players , spectators and executive board members and acknowledge their contribution towards the league.(by Irshad Khan – June 30th, 2012)
The stage has been set for the 28th Annual Interdistrict Soccer Championship (IDC) tournament, at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey from July 7th- 8th.
Sixteen teams will participate in a two day tournament-7 in Masters division and 9 in Premier division and only one team in each division will be crowned as 2012 Champion.
IDC tournament is one of the oldest tournaments in the history of Fijian Soccer. Only five teams (Suva, Rewa, Ba, Levuka and Lautoka) initially participated in the first IDC tournament which was held in Suva in 1938. Today almost every City and Town in Fiji participate and compete in this tournament.
The aspiration to continue this historical tournament in this country (Canada) was pioneered by our ancestors in the 80’s.The first tournament was held in Richmond in 1984 in which Rewa beat Suva 1-0 in the final.
Today, more than 16 teams participate and compete annually to battle for the Championship.
Nadi has a proven and consistent track record of winning the local IDC Cup (2007 ,2008, 2009 and 2011) in the last few years under the leadership of Mr. Omar Khan and Coach Mr.Ivor Evans.
This year, every team looks to be equally dominant. Players that have just completed Fijian Soccer League games with their respective clubs will be descending at the Newton Athletic Park with all their cylinders firing up. How ever, Array Security Ba team official Mr Vinesh Lal is very confident with his side and said,”If all my players show up on the weekend, you bet Array Security Ba will be celebrating the 2012 IDC Championship on Sunday afternoon with Savusavu Kava”.
The organizing committee of Fijian Soccer League of Greater Vancouver has assured to deliver a great weekend of soccer with lots of sitting area in a family style atmosphere.
(by Irshad Khan – June 25th, 2012)
Any ‘slim hope’ for Rewa to win 2012 Fijian Soccer League Masters division ‘League Championship’ came to an end on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Coast Meridian Park in Surrey BC, in presence of huge spectators, when Navua hammered 5 goals to 1 in Rewa’s net.
Navua, after going down to Delta Tigers in the 2012 Knockout Championship last month, made a promising comeback with more preparation and vengeance to win.
From the starting whistle, Delta Tigers moved the ball swiftly around Navua’s midfeld and defence, penetrating Navua’s defence line, and at times it looked as if a goal was due any second for Rewa. However, the dream of winning 2012 League Championship for Rewa, was shattered in the 26th minute when Navua’s Striker and ‘2012 Knockout Golden Boot Winner’ Ritesh Mishra opened up the account for Navua’s side when he picked up a through pass from Frank Ricardo and only to neatly place the ball in the net.
Navua refused to settle with one goal up- in the 38th minute, salient striker Patrick Mohammed JR made a dazzling run on the right flank,only to beat defender Mofeed by inches to put Navua up by two goals just before the half time.
Rewa hit back in 54th minute when striker Iqbal Khan took a powerful shot outside 18 yard box to give Rewans hope for equalizer. Striker Ritesh Mishra made another stunning left footed goal inside an 18 yard box for Navua’s side in the 70th minute,neatly placing the ball in the far left corner, out of reach from Rewa’s goalkeeper Afroz Ali.
Patrick Junior made the 4th goal for Navua’s side in the 78th minute, and as the team prepared for an early celebration, former Tanoa Fc Striker Neil Adhakar picked up a rebound ball from Rewa’s goalkeeper and shook the net for the 5th time. Giving victory to Navua, 5-1 over Delta Strikers.
Former Navua resident Mr Saten Ram, who walked in his Late fathers footsteps Mr Janak Ram, thanked all the Navua fans living in Vancouver and around the globe for their overwhelming support and praised his players. Especially; Striker Ritesh Mishra, former Tilak High School kid Tofiq Khan who kept Rewa’s midfielders at bay and outstanding goalkeeper Shameel Ali who made some daring saves for his side.
Rewa’s player and coach, Mr Ronald Chaudhry said, “We got desperate for equalizer after the first goal, leaving our defence open for Navua’s strikers to take full advantage of it as four of their goals were scored one on one basis, when a player have one on one situation, than question rise where is the defence? Back to drawing board”.
(by Irshad Khan – May 29th, 2012)
Rewa lived up to their slogan “TABU SORO” which means no surrender by winning the Masters division of 2012 tournament hosted by Fijian Soccer League of Vancouver. The Delta Tiger team was laced with former Fiji National representatives Ivor Evans, Don Shaheem and Ronald Chaudhary. The three have represented Fiji on numerous occasions and were ably supported by former Nadi striker Iqbal Khan in front.
Rewas game plan had Ivor sweeping at the back with Don and Chaudhary controlling the midfield and leaving Iqbal in front which was paying dividend to the team as they regrouped after going down to Nadi in their first pool match 0-1. The team won their second match by defeating Lautoka 3-0 and than Ba 2-0 in the quarter final. Semi final Rewa punished Tavua 3-0.
Final match against Navua was a much anticipated match that lots of fans were waiting eager to witness. The match started with both teams being cautious not to make any error till in ten minutes of the first half when Navua keeper gave away possession to Rewa’s Sashi Lal who made no mistake by placing the ball beyond the reach of Navua keeper Neville. Navua tried to come back in the game but could not capitalize. Rewa keeper Afroz Khan made some daring saves and so did the defence of Ivor, Sanjeev, Fareed and “stone wall” Mofeed who all played really well in keeping Navua at bay.
Rewa had chances to increase the lead when Iqbal Khan had only Navua keeper to beat but he intended to pass to his fellow striker who missed it. Five minutes from full time Rewa midfielder Ronald Chaudhary worked his way up to pass the ball to Iqbal who neatly placed the ball in the net.
For Rewa Ivor, was always cool as a cucumber in defense showing his experience. The former 86ers presence made lots of difference, guiding his outer defense of Fareed Raza and Sanjeev well.Central defense, Mofeed “Stone Wall” played his best game in the final cutting out all Navua attacks time and again.
Keeper Afroz Ali played a grand match in the final as well.Midfielders Don and Chaudhary worked tirelessly showing experience and skills that had Navua cover for defense as they combined well among each other. Iqbal Khan hammered the final nail in the coffin to give Rewa a much deserved victory after a lapse of twenty eight years.
Rewa is still undefeated in the league and is eyeing to take the league title as well. This is the first time that former Fiji Nationals Ivor, Don and Chaudhary have joined together to play for Rewa in Vancouver along with former Nadi striker Iqbal Khan.
The team also had the service another Ex Fiji National, Mohammed Yusuf “Mama” but knee injury has forced the lanky defender to take a break after appearing in a league match.
Rewa officials brothersVijay,Mukesh, Michael and Johnny Nandan were lost for words after the final whistle.The brothers were very happy with the win.
