Fiji FA Suva Academy U13 and U19 teams were crowned the champions in their respective categories in the Viti Invitational Futsal Cup tournament last weekend at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.
Suva defeated Queensland 4-0 in the final while Suva U19 youth side won 3-0 against Ba in an entertaining final.
Queensland U15 Boys side defeated Labasa U15 2-0 to win the under 15 category while Queensland U15 Girls won 3-1 against Suva to clinch the U15 girl’s title.
Queensland Girls Youth team was crowned champions in the Youth category after beating Suva 3-1 in the final.
13-year Maika Dau who is the son of former national and Rewa rep Lorima Dau was the star for the side.
With his skills and drills, the young star won the hearts of many players, officials, and fans after netting four classic goals in the final.
Tournament coordinator Raj Kumar of Queensland praised Dau’s performance.
“He is a class player in his category and has a long way to go,” said former national futsal rep
“If given proper guidance he will surely excel in his career,” said Raj
Raj said as everyone knows Fiji has the talent and the main thing was to expose them.
“We know we have so many talents here but they don’t get much exposure so the main motive to get the teams here to play was to give some exposure and develop the futsal code.”
“I am really proud to say we do not regret coming here to play local teams because they really showed their potential,”
“For sure we coming back next year with a much bigger and better tournament,”
“We are planning to invite other pacific teams next year so that the players can get more game time and exposure,” said Raj
Digicel national futsal coach Jerry Sam who guided the teams said the boys showed an understanding of the futsal game.
“The boys really showed their commitments and the result is there,”
“We have a bright future in futsal and I am sure in years to come Fiji will be a team to reckon in the code,” said Sam
Sam thanked each and everyone for making the tournament a success.
“I would like to thank Raj Kumar for facilitating in getting the teams from Queensland and our development officers from Ba and Labasa for doing a great job as well,” said Sam
