Courtesy: Fiji Times


Northern teams prepare for soccer play-off

by Maneesha Karan

LABASA Quake Futsal five-a-side soccer teams have begun preparations for the semi-finals at the FSC Labasa Futsal Park this weekend.

In the quarter-final play-off last weekend, Batinikama beat Tabia 3-0, Bank of Baroda beat Sangam Sports 5-1, United Police B beat Basoga 2-0, and Urata beat Qawa 6-2.

The semi-finals will be played between Batinikama and Bank of Baroda and the second match pits United Police B and Urata.

Labasa Quake Futsal Association president Kamendra Naidu said the upset was Qawa losing against Urata.

However, the players' skills and knowledge about Futsal League had increased since its launch in April this year, he added. "Labasa has many potential players in futsal five-a-side and we are looking forward to producing a team for Labasa. They have become skillful players," Naidu said.

Meanwhile, coach and manager of Batinikama team Bal Krishna said training was underway for this week's games.

"My team is made up of school boys except for one school teacher and they haven't played five-a-side before. Playing five-a-side is different to seven-a-side because there are a lot of fouls.

"It has been difficult training the boys but we managed to qualify for the semi-finals," he said.

He said they would give their best shot playing against Bank of Baroda in the semi-final.

"It won't be an easy match because my team players are new and the opposing team has national reps such as Roy Krishna but nonetheless we will try our best."

"I am proud of my young players because they have shown good skills and I expect them to win the match."


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com