The Melbourne Masters soccer team beat a tough Lovu challenge to win the Australia Fiji Soccer Association (AFSA) Veterans tournament title at a packed Marconi Oval in Sydney yesterday.

The Australian-based team with the likes of former Lautoka, Rewa and Nadroga rep Vilikesa Bola and former Fiji and Suva striker Meli Debalevu Junior, won 4-1 in penalty shoot-out in the final.

Both teams failed to find the net in normal and extra time.

Lovu, the surprise package of the tournament, shocked many by reaching the final as the Lautoka-based team wasn’t given much chance by fans.

Former Labasa and Fiji soccer striker Livai Duguca was the star for the westerners in the tournament as he played outstandingly and was rewarded with the player of the tournament title.

William Lasaqa was named the best goalkeeper while former Nadi and Lautoka ace Watisoni Voli who featured for Ba Legends scooped the late Madan Pal People’s Choice Award for best player.

Other big names of the late 70s, 80s and 90s that featured in the tournament included Luke Tavuyara, Shalen Lal, Christopher Raj, Jason Lal, Jope Lomu, Patrick Wise, Henry Dyer, Valerio Nasema, Shiu Sami, Lote Delai,Josefa Basudra, Radha Pillay, Edwin Pillay, Arif Azam Khan, Ezra Williams, Timoci Matanitu and Tawake Dakunibubuli.

AFSA president Nick Sharma said the tournament was a hit.

“The tournament acted as a great forum for our players of yesteryears to get together, mingle and reunite their football ties.”

“The contribution of these players to the sport should not go unnoticed and we will ensure that the tournament goes as for as long as it could and our veterans are in constant touch with each other,” he said.

Tournament organizing committee chairman, Bob Nair acknowledged the presence of prominent soccer officials from Fiji.

The officials from Fiji were Hari Raj Naicker (Fiji FA), Nardeo Mishra (FFA), Dennis Singh (Lautoka) , Radha Krishna (Lautoka),Raymond Singh (Lautoka) and Aiyaz Khan (FFA referee).

Melbourne Masters walked away with $5000, trophy and gold medals while Lovu received $1000, trophy and silver medals for its efforts.

Results: quarterfinals: Sydney Ba 0-1 Green Machine, Melbourne Masters 5-4 (Pen) Xavier Old Boys, Sydney Combine 0-1 Ba Legends, Sydney Lautoka 7-8 Lovu (Pen).

Semifinals: Melbourne Masters 5-3 Green Machine (Pen), Lovu 5-3 Ba Legends.

Final: Melbourne Masters 4-1 Lovu (Pen).

Fijilive

Back to Home

Print