Three days of robust competition in the opening stage of the 2025 BiC Fiji FACT has garnered the praise of Fiji Football Association chief executive Mohammed Yusuf.
Eight teams began the 34th instalment of the competition and from that, only four have qualified for the semi-finals after finishing in the top two spots in Groups A and B.
“I must say, all the eight teams had prepared very well. They featured very well, very competitive matches,” Yusuf remarked.
“You can’t see any weak team or strong team, except for the last match, Suva-Nadi, where Suva scored five goals.”
The capital city and Jetset Town showdown was the biggest upset of the tournament so far, when Stratum Construction Suva FC won 5-0 over Bula Rentals & Tours Nadi FC in the final Group B match on Sunday night.
Goals in that match were placed by Joe Moses (two), and others by Ramzan Khan and Waisake Navunigasau Junior with a penalty kick by goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva.
Meanwhile, Yusuf also acknowledged the dynamism of young players taking part in the Fiji FACT as well.
“We’re happy with the standard, lot of youth players have come up: youngsters playing for the teams, Nadi, Lautoka even Ba had a lot of young players which is a good sign,” he remarked.
With Paradise Seafood Supplies Lautoka FC, Extra Supermarket Labasa FC, Suva and Ajay Trading Rewa FC now waiting for their semi-finals this Saturday, he said the teams will be out to do their best.
“The competition is very evenly matched, and I think these four qualifiers are lucky, especially Rewa and Labasa are lucky to be in the semis by the way teams performed,” he said.
“But when they come to this knockout stage, everything changes so every team will be at their best.”
“They can’t take chances.”
