In the latest development in the Men’s Invitational Series, the Fiji Men’s Netball team extended their unbeaten run with a crushing 79-18 win over Tonga at Vodafone Arena in Suva last night. The 61‑point victory reinforced Fiji’s dominance in the competition and followed an opening-day 57‑18 win that set the tone for the series.
Head coach Jioweli Vakamoce said the margin was the product of focused work on correcting early errors and tightening player combinations after a full review of the side’s first outing. “We have analyzed and talked about what we did on the first day because the points are less than what we always give Tonga. We have retouched everything again from yesterday and the team have executed well in the court,” Vakamoce said, applauding his squad’s ability to implement changes quickly on match night.
Vakamoce highlighted that the players have been introduced to new tactical patterns this season and that the team managed to adapt effectively in their second match. Coaches and support staff used video review of the opening game to identify gaps and reinforce roles, he said, which translated into sharper transitions and more cohesive attacking and defensive combinations against Tonga.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Vakamoce warned that maintaining composure under pressure remains a critical focus for the squad. “The issue is we need players to have that in their mind. When you are on court there are emotions, reactions, and we need to keep training them to focus on what we are implementing,” he said, stressing that mental discipline will be decisive as the competition progresses.
The win sets up a crucial final game tonight, which Vakamoce described as a significant test against a familiar Pacific rival. He expressed cautious optimism about the team’s progress, saying the players were “gradually building cohesion” through training and match experience but that true assessment would come only when they step back onto the court.
Vakamoce also paid tribute to the strong turnout of supporters at Vodafone Arena, noting the fans’ encouragement even in wet conditions. The vocal backing at home venues has been a boost for the squad, the coach added, and will be important as Fiji looks to preserve their unbeaten record through the remainder of the Invitational Series.
With back-to-back comprehensive wins and a clearer tactical identity emerging, Fiji head into tonight’s fixture carrying momentum — but with an explicit reminder from their coach that focus and execution under pressure will determine whether they can convert that momentum into tournament success.