Spain conquers France
Kylian Mbappe’ France failed to deliver, when it mattered most, against Spain. France was a shadow of the team which earlier had made mince meat of the opponents in the pool play, last 32 and last 16. In fact, everyone was betting for France to lift the FIFA 26 World Cup. Against the more spirited and determined Spanish team, France could not regain its fighting spirit, much to the dismay of thousands of its fans in the stand. Spain, who had earlier started very slow in the pool matches, started picking up from the last 32 and 16. Spain peaked when it mattered most,in the semi final whilst France had peaked too early. I believe that was the difference, and an important one. Spain dominated play from the 1st whistle and never looked back. Ovarzabel scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute and Pedro Perro added a second one for Spain to go up 2-0. And they protected the lead till the final whistle. For me, Lamine Yamal, the super youngster was the player of the match. His attacking prowess, defensive ability and dribbling skills made the difference. He scored Spain’s third goal, which was later disallowed for offside. That goal was a classic. The 19-year-old Yamal will now play in the final on Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey, with a heavy load on his young shoulders. Arun Prasad Dilkusha, Nausori
La Roja march into final!
Two-time World Cup champions France and 2010 WC champions Spain faced off at the Dallas Stadium. In a match worthy of the final, a potential classic unfolded. The La Roja beat the Les Bleus 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-final and then edged the men in blue 5-4 in a remarkable Nations League contest last summer. France, however, beat Spain 3-1 in the round of 16 in 2006. Didier Deschamps’ side looked favourites. After clinching the title in 2018, when they beat Croatia 4-2, France showed a lot of promise. Heading to the semis, France won all six matches at this WC, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two. Spain has been riding on luck. The La Roja booked their place in the last four with a dramatic 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium, having scored 11 goals in six games at this WC, with just one conceded. Fans enjoyed the spectacular show. Spain had the last laugh as they marched into the final for the first time in 16 years. The last time they made the final was in 2010 when they beat the Netherlands in extra time to win their first WC title. Andreas Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 116th minute. Against France, Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro turned out heroes for Spain which played as a team and did not rely on the individual brilliance of players. This morning, fans will tighten their seatbelts and await the mouthwatering belter between Argentina and England which last won the WC title in 1966! Wishing The Three Lions all the best! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Deterrent penalty
Justice Fatiaki stated that the death penalty will not solve the problem (FT 13/7/26). Who said it would? Prevention is better than cure. Fiji has already been struggling with its health care system and I am certain, it doesn’t need to build additional rehabilitation centres. Even prisons, to accommodate convicted drug addicts, for that matter. In fact, I believe that drug related crimes will continue, for as long as “drug smugglers”, see fit. There has to be a “deterrence” mechanism, in my view, that should make even the “thought” of drugs, be denied instantly. Our lawmakers, I believe, should revise the Sentencing & Penalties Act, to appropriate “deterrence” in every way. However, anyone who wishes to visit Singapore, I am certain, will always be very cautious, that they are free from any “drug identification”, prior to landing. That is, in my view, has been Singapore’s first line of “deterrence”, that has made it a successful and model metropolis-state. Discipline, I believe, is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. The ball is in our court. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Identity debate
The iTaukei people own more than 90% of the land with its resources and yet have a poverty rate of about 75%. The 1987 and 2000 coups were carried out in the name of indigenous rights. Look where we stand today as a nation with numerous social and crime related issues. We are a population of less than one million with iTaukei making about 65% of the people and this population is growing. In comparison, India with a population of 1.4 billion people with diverse cultures, traditions, religions etc. India is divided into 22 states based on ethnicity; Tamil Nadu, Karnatka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh etc. It also has six Union Territorie (mainly cities). India has almost 200 million people of Islamic faith. Under the BJP government of Narendra Modi, India has made giant strides in economic development in the past 14 years. Today India’s people are united and thwarting nations that want to sow seeds of disunity and chaos.All of India’s people are known as Indians. All Indians in Australia are Australians of Indian descent. I am a Fijian of Indian descent. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
A public holiday?
Monday, July 15, 2026 is a milestone day internationally. t’s the day that the curtain falls on the current soccer World Cup when the final is played. And the curtain will only be raised again in four years’ time. Therefore, the next such final will be 2030. No one wants to miss this auspicious occasion as the final. All will benefit on the day. For many, it may be the last World Cup Final they have a chance of seeing-due to age catching up. The Government, for its part will show that it supports our soccer fraternity and sports in general. Fewer absentees in schools and workplaces. Employers will not have to deal with late -comers and unhappy workers. Merchants – you still have time to make tons of money through soccer memorabilia. Sporting fans worldwide and even here in Fiji are all looking forward to enjoying and celebrate on this day. Therefore, I am urging the Government if it may declare next Monday, July 15, a public holiday so our people can watch this grand finale in peace and with a clear conscience. William Rosa Ba
The purpose
Without the intention of malice towards any particular person, I have come across a notable purpose of politics (among others) worth sharing. That is, to khali chhilo. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
FSC spotlight
While the spotlight is on FSC, what happened to the FICAC allegations of abuse of office and corruption against a former executive
chairman and CEO of Fiji Sugar Corporation? Sailosi Naewe Dilkusha Rd, Nausori
Fiji rugby
I support our good PM’s stand on our Flying Fijians head coach, saying it’s too early to judge his performance after two test matches. What I do not understand is why is he so quiet when it comes to Fiji FA. FFA has been there from 1938. Any comment or advice from you sir, for all the die-hard fans? Only comment I can make is most of the rugby fans now were once die-hard soccer fans. Most of the rugby sponsors now were once major sponsors of Fiji FA. Why the shift in interest and allegiance, sir? A. Shariff Shah Savusavu
FSC issue
Our PM calls Fiji Sugar Corporation “a cow that does not give milk”, PS Finance says that “farmers are fooled” but some say the sugar industry can still survive. Thousands of people in Fiji depend on FSC. Farmers, farm workers, FSC workers, landowners, truck owners, drivers and many more depend on FSC for survival. How about giving one sugar mill to a private investor and FSC going into a partnership business. I am sure Punjas, FMF, Grace Roads and even our very own farmer from Ra, George Shiu Raj can become a partner and make the sugar mill business viable again. The idea is not new as Mr Raj offered the same when the Rakiraki Sugar Mill was damaged. The question is will FSC and Government discuss this with interested people? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Sugar industry and audits
Farmers and landowners
Mahendra Chaudhry recently called for longer-term agricultural leases for farmers during the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) hearing, as reported by The Fiji Times. I understand where he is coming from, and I appreciate the need to provide farmers with security of tenure. However, we must also consider the realities faced by landowners. Many landowners living in villages, as well as those working in various industries to support their families, receive less than a thousand dollars a year in lease income from agricultural land. That amount is simply not enough to meet the growing financial demands of the vanua, church obligations, education, and everyday living expenses. This is one of the main reasons many landowning units have sought the assistance of iTLTB to explore better opportunities when agricultural leases expire. These include higher-value developments, joint ventures, residential and commercial projects, tourism investments, and other initiatives that can generate sustainable long-term returns for both landowners and the wider economy. Former agricultural tenants should not be left without options. Through respectful negotiations with landowners and iTLTB, there may be opportunities to secure additional land where appropriate, beyond the existing 99-year residential leases that many already hold. The reality is that, particularly in the Nadi–Lautoka corridor, land has far greater development potential than it did decades ago. Landowners naturally want to pursue opportunities that provide better economic returns for future generations. As difficult as it may be to acknowledge, the sugar industry is no longer the economic powerhouse it once was, and many believe it can no longer provide adequate returns to either farmers or landowners. The challenge is to strike a fair balance — protecting farmers’ livelihoods while also respecting the rights of landowners to pursue development opportunities that improve the wellbeing of their families and future generations. Vina du. Joeli Tui II Lumuni, Sabeto
Dedicated teacher
Congratulations master Dewan Chand on achieving a blessed and rewarding life as you celebrated your 82nd birthday on July 8, 2026 (FT LTE 8/7). May God continue blessing you with good health, wealth and happiness. I believe our teachers leave a lasting legacy for students. They are the best gifts for our soul. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Audits and plaudits
Honourable Viam Pillay has reportedly called for a “special audit of the Fiji Sugar Corporation”. We are still waiting for any meaningful progress on a former FSC CEO’s alleged corruption and conflict of interest through his own company’s business with FSC. I read somewhere he enjoyed a $800k salary. The matter is so old that I can’t remember what all the allegations exactly were. Hon. Pillay would do well to also call for that case to be reopened, in case it’s closed. Or will his audit do the magic? Donald Singh Nausori
