The feature match of round one of the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT will see the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants Rewa taking on 2020 Courts IDC champions Labasa at ANZ Stadium in Suva this Sunday.
Fireworks are expected to explode when the two champions will face each other in the repeat of the 2018 Vodafone Fiji FACT final in which the Delta Tigers won 5-3 in penalty kicks at home.
This season the Delta Tigers have just once beaten the Babasiqa Lions in the first round of the VPL 3-1. They lost 1-2 in the second round and were also defeated 1-0 in the semi-final of the 2020 Courts IDC in Suva last month,
They have met in three Fiji FACT finals in 2011, 2015 and 2018. In 2015 Rewa won 1-0 at Churchill Park in Lautoka and in 2015 Labasa won 2-0 at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
This will be a tough match for both teams particularly for the Babasiga Lions who want to start off on a winning note ahead of the tournament proper in Labasa.
Labasa President Rayaz Khan says they’ll take each game as it comes.
“The coach is preparing the team for the first match against Rewa. We are hoping to do well here at the Stadium and the two remaining matches we’ll see as the game comes.”
Khan adds there’s a lot of pressure on the team from their fans and families because they’re hosting the tournament.
But Khan adds they are preparing well and optimistic about a good outing.
Rewa coach Marika Rodu anticipates a tough challenge against the Babasiqa Lions.
“Labasa is a very good team and have depth in their side and they play very constructive football and they have beaten twice this year but we will not let our barrel down against them in the Fiji FACT opener,” said Rodu
“Everyone wants to start the tournament with a win like us and that what makes the game more exciting,”
Rodu says the team that makes less mistakes will win.
The match kicks off at 3pm
