Pool One#Labasa#Not highly rated by many, the Labasa side enters the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT tagged as an underdog. #Labasa lost several key players earlier this season and the administration went through some changes which now sees an interim administration control the affairs of Labasa football. #Despite this situation the Babasiga Lions as they are commonly known will not be going down without a fight. #While the outing in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League may not be a fairy tale one but the side has some good results which combined with the backing from their strong supporters should a be a good inspiration for the side. #Labasa won the last major Fiji Football Association tournament in October last year. That would indeed give some confidence ahead of the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT. #Tavua#Tavua is at their very best come tournaments time and there will be no exception come the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT.#Packed with young and upcoming talents Tavua will provide entertaining football throughout the duration of the Vodafone Fiji FACT and has what it takes to tackle the giants. #Tavua will face off against Ba, Navua, Nadroga and Labasa. On paper Ba should top the pool and the race for second place would be between the other participating sides but at the end of the day 60 minutes footy would be a different ball game. #Tavua held Ba to a 0-0 draw in their opening Vodafone Fiji FACT clash last season and more then capable of doing it again. #Former Nadroga striker Jonas Naceva has joined Tavua and will add further fire power to the attack. Goalkeeper Josaia Ratu’s contribution will be vital for the team’s chances. #Navua#Navua faced a similar situation as Labasa this season when many of their key players opted out to join other districts. #Veteran President Anil Sharma has passed the torch to Gopal Naidu who has taken over the side and is doing his best to take Navua back to the status once they held. #Former national rep Seveci Rokotakala has stepped in the role of player/coach; he will be backed by season campaigners Jesoni Takala, Pene Erenio, Monit Chand and Rajnil Chand. #Navua is also known as a tournament team that is expected to spring some surprises at the first of the three Fiji Football Association tournaments. # After facing Ba in the first round the side would know now what needs to be done in the remainder of the tournament. #Navua will play with full spirit throughout and fight till the end in a bid to qualify for the playoffs on Sunday. #Nadroga#Nadroga is back to full strength with the return of key players mainly Archie Watkins and Luke Rawadamu who were last month part of the National Olympics side. #Nadroga is one side that is yet to win a match in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League. #The 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament provides them with an opportunity for a fresh start. The 60-minutes tournament is a different ball game and Nadroga stands equal chance like the other nine participating teams to win the Vodafone Fiji FACT. #Nadroga had an impressive outing at last year’s Vodafone Fiji FACT and were just unlucky to miss out on a semifinal berth. Their loyal fans would be hoping for the Stallions to rise and make a strong statement that they may be down at the moment but not out. #Ba#Not winning any of the three major tournaments last season will set a perfect platform for giants Ba heading into the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament. #The Western-based giants started the season on a high note with the Pillay Garments Champions League in their trophy cabinet. #Ba is back to full strength with lethal striker Osea Vakatalesau back and new signing Jone Salauneune ready to explode. #Ba the most successful team in the Vodafone Fiji FACT having won it on numerous occasions last won this prestigious event in 2010 under the guidance of Farouk Janeman. #Experienced coach Yogen Dutt is charge of the side and knows exactly what is required to win these sorts of tournaments.#Ba is expected to top pool one and book a semifinal berth for Sunday but other sides cannot be counted out just yet. #Pool Two#Rewa#The target will be on Rewa’s chest come the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament. The defending champion’s task has been made harder as they have been thrown in a pool of death with the likes of rival Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and the unpredictable Savusavu side. #Rewa won the Vodafone Fiji FACT title for the very first time last season beating Labasa 1-0 in a very closely contested final. This year they will be in front of their home fans and on their turf and it will be interesting to see whether the silverware stays in Nausori or finds a new home. #Rewa could not win the Courts Inter District Championship at the back end of last season and lost the Pillay Garments Champions League title to Ba in the opening of the 2012 season. #This could be a major driving factor for Rewa to be at their best in order to not lose another title. While they will be missing top gun Simione Tamanisau who was an inspiration leader for the Delta Tigers but young goalie Epeli Loaniceva has stepped up to the mark and is slowly taking place amongest the best goal keepers in the country. #New signings Apisai Smith, Pranil Kumar, Ilisoni Logaivau and Kavaia Rawaqa will add further strength and only time will tell whether Rewa excels at home or not. #Suva#Performance in the 2012 season rates Suva as one of the contenders for the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT title. #Under the guidance of able coach Gurjit Singh Suva boasts a talented squad which also has some Solomon Islands influence. #Suva is looking very promising especially with their recent performance in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League whereby they hold top position. #Having won the Fiji FACT just on one occasion in 1995, Suva is hungrier than ever to bag a major title. #Suva is pooled with Rewa, Nadi, Lautoka and Savusavu. Beating Rewa and Savusavu already in the National Football League Suva would give more confidence but their clash with Lautoka would be an interesting one to see of they have learned their mistakes from the loss earlier in the season. #Lautoka#It has been a while since Lautoka won a major championship but despite that the Blues as they are commonly known have managed to hold their position amongst the top four sides in the country. #Lautoka’s new signing Simione Tamanisau will be an inspiration to the side. Having led Rewa and Navua to numerous victories in the past Tamanisau is no stranger of being in the winning end. #Lautoka Football Association President Shalendra Prasad is putting in a lot of effort year in year out. With a quality squad Lautoka has what it takes to be crowned champions. #With a number of upcoming talents backed up experienced players Lautoka should be a team to watch at the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT. #Nadi#Nadi side in the 2012 season looks a determined one and should a strong contender for the Vodafone Fiji FACT title.#Nadi would hope that the return of former stars Veresa Toma and Beniaminio Mateinaqara will be the missing link which has seen them miss out on many championships for the past few seasons. #Former Tavua coach Kamal Suwamy who recently was engaged with the National Under 23 Olympian side which finished second has taken charge of the side. #With few huge victories in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League Nadi should make things difficult for their opponents. #Savusavu#After a season in the Super Premier division Savusavu is more confident heading for the first of the three tournaments in the Fiji FA calendar. #Savusavu is yet to win a match in the 2012 Fiji Sun/GP batteries National Football League but that does not mean they will be a walkover at the 2012 Vodafone Fiji FACT. #The administration has gone through some changes but the giants killers no doubt will be at their best. Memories of a memorable win over Suva in last year’s Vodafone Fiji FACT are still fresh in mind of many fans and fans would hope for Savusavu to create some more upsets. # Fiji FA MEDIA# #
