Brothers Jitoko Vulava of Labasa and Suva’s Akuila Mateisuva faced off for the first time on home soil in Round 12 of the Digicel Fiji Premier League at Subrail Park.
The elder brother, former national goalkeeper Mateisuva, saw his team fall 1-0 to Labasa, where his younger brother Vulava plays.
Vulava joined the Labasa team in 2016 and had the opportunity to represent his district. The 27-year-old explained that being related to Mateisuva opened doors in goalkeeping for him.
Initially a rugby player in high school, Vulava was encouraged by his teachers to try football after they learned of his brother’s success in the sport.
Vulava added that their late father, who passed away in 2021, had always supported the brothers in their football careers.