The captain of the Fiji men’s hockey team, Leevan Dutta, celebrated a significant milestone as he earned his 50th international cap while leading his team to victory at the Intercontinental Cup held in Suva. The Fiji team triumphed over the Solomon Islands with a score of 6-3 in the gold medal play-off match. Meanwhile, Vanuatu secured the bronze medal after a close contest against Samoa, winning 4-3.
At 32 years old, Dutta reflected on the match, noting some initial complacency but expressing satisfaction with how the team found their rhythm in the second half. He recognized the contributions of the Fiji Hockey Federation for organizing the Pacific Cup despite the travel costs for players, highlighting the importance of such events for the development of the sport.
Dutta praised the debut performances of teammates Kirk Corrie, Dale Johanssen, and George Ravatu, stating that they demonstrated their worthiness in the team. He emphasized the importance of the Warriors team in helping expose more players to higher levels of competition, which bodes well for the future of hockey in Fiji.
In a heartwarming gesture, Dutta dedicated the victory to their families, friends, and teammates, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the players. He concluded by attributing their success to divine support.
Additionally, the Fiji women’s hockey team continued their impressive performance, remaining unbeaten throughout the Oceania Pacific Cup tournament. They secured both the Intercontinental and Pacific Cup titles, defeating Samoa 8-2 for the former title and overcoming New Zealand Pasifika in a shootout, after a 2-2 tie in regulation time. Vanuatu faced a tough loss in the bronze medal match against Tonga, also decided by a shootout after ending 3-3.
Overall, this successful outing for both the men’s and women’s teams highlights Fiji’s growing presence in the hockey world and exemplifies their commitment to the sport’s development. The future looks bright for Fiji hockey as they continue to foster talent and pursue excellence on the international stage.
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