The Friends United team made a remarkable start to the Dayal Sawmillers National Club Championship 2025, achieving a resounding 7-1 victory over Lami Rangers in their opening match at the Fiji FA Academy grounds in Vatuwaqa yesterday. Head coach Nitan Kumar expressed his satisfaction, stating that the team’s aim was to kick off the tournament positively, which they accomplished.
Despite challenges posed by players’ work and family commitments, the team persevered, finding time to train and prepare effectively for the competition. Kumar noted, “Our preparations were not much, as most of the players have work and family commitments, but we managed to find time to train.” He highlighted the importance of a strong opening in the tournament while emphasizing the need to focus on one match at a time.
Moving forward, the team is gearing up to enhance their defense as they prepare for their next match on Sunday, acknowledging areas for improvement. Kumar commended his players for their dedication and underscored the importance of ongoing development.
In a parallel development, 4R FC from Ba launched their NCC West Zone campaign successfully, leading the standings after a decisive 3-0 victory against Downtown FC of Nadroga at the Fiji FA Academy Ground in Ba. 4R FC displayed disciplined defending and effective attacking strategies from the outset, with Kini Madigi scoring the first goal before halftime, giving them a deserved lead. The team’s momentum continued into the second half as Nabil Begg and Christopher Moses both netted goals, further solidifying their dominance in the match.
In the earlier match of the day, Lautoka Rays United FC and Army Delta FC of Nadi battled to a 1-1 draw. Rays United initially took the lead, only for Army Delta to equalize in the second half, showcasing strong discipline and intensity from both teams.
The opening matches of the championship have set a promising tone, highlighting the dedication and skill of the participating teams as they strive for success in the tournament.
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