Defending champions St John’s College are focused on retaining their title at the Fiji Secondary School’s Hockey competition. The under-19 boys’ team kicked off their campaign with a decisive victory against Tilak High School and managed to secure a 1-1 draw with St Thomas High School in their second pool match.
Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance against St Thomas, noting the match was a challenging one. “The match was great; St Thomas gave us a good run, but we are happy with the result,” remarked Masi.
He pointed out the distinct differences between training on grass and turf, acknowledging that while their preparations were adequate, adapting to the turf has been a learning experience. “We are getting used to the turf and enjoying it,” he said.
Masi stressed the importance of focusing on improvement and learning from past mistakes as they prepare for the remaining matches. “We will be working on our mistakes and aim to improve in our next matches; other than that, the boys are doing well,” he stated.
Despite encountering challenges, especially with many of the players being new to the sport, Masi remained hopeful about their chances in the competition. With only four teams in the under-19 category, St John’s College is optimistic about their title defense.
Masi also conveyed gratitude to the parents, supporters, and teachers from the college in Suva for their steadfast support. The tournament is set to conclude tomorrow at the National Hockey Centre in Suva.