The Extra Beach Soccer League opened on Saturday at the Fiji Sports Council Beach Soccer Pitch in Laucala, delivering an action-packed start to the campaign with plenty of goals and late twists.
Nasinu set the tone in the first game, beating Northland Tailevu 5-2 after pressing high and converting chances with precision to establish an early advantage in the standings. In a showpiece second match, Lami edged Suva in a seven-goal thriller, 4-3, with a decisive late strike sealing the points for Lami.
The day’s drama peaked in the final clash as Rewa and Navua battled to a 3-3 draw in regulation time, only for Rewa to prevail 7-5 in the ensuing penalty shootout, securing valuable early points while Navua left with opportunities missed in front of goal.
Beyond the results, the league is being developed as a pathway for Fiji’s beach soccer talent. Under the guidance of Fiji FA’s Beach Soccer programs, the competition is designed to identify players with strong technical ability and game understanding to represent Fiji in regional opportunities. The initiative has already spurred expansion considerations, with plans to add more teams from Labasa and Ba in the coming year and discussions about continued growth across the Southern Division.
The league’s broader structure aims to foster development and fair play, building a foundation for Fiji to strengthen its presence in regional beach football. With the season set to resume next weekend, fans can expect more fast-paced, high-scoring beach soccer action as teams continue to chase crucial points.
The opening weekend delivered a mix of tight contests and high-scoring affairs, signaling a competitive season ahead and a clear push to grow beach soccer in Fiji through development-focused governance and regional expansion.
There is growing optimism that a well-organized league will unlock new talent, boost community engagement, and elevate Fiji’s profile in Pacific beach soccer circles.
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