Xavier College stormed into the quarter-finals of the Fiji Secondary School Football Association Open Girls grade with a commanding 9-0 victory over Vunimono High School in their final pool match yesterday. The Ba-based side dictated play from the opening whistle, pressing high and maintaining long periods of possession while unleashing sharp, cumulative attacks that kept their opponents pinned in their half. Xavier’s defense was equally steadfast, limiting any real threats from Vunimono.
Coach Asish Chand was quick to praise the performance but urged his players to stay focused as they shift into knockout football. “We will go back and rectify our mistakes. My message to the girls was to play the game and enjoy. We are happy with the win and I’m proud of the girls,” Chand said.
The result seals Xavier’s top-spot finish in Pool E and hands them momentum and confidence as they advance to the knockout rounds.
Context and background
Xavier College has been a prominent name in Fiji’s school football scene. Notably, last year in the Digicel Fiji Secondary Schools Inter-District Championship Open Girls final, Ba Sanatan College defeated Xavier College 2-1, underlining the high level of competition in the Open Girls division and the ongoing rivalry between the Ba-based schools. Xavier’s strong showing in the pool stage, combined with that history, suggests a keen interest in preserving and building on their Open Girls program.
What this means going forward
– Xavier’s 9-0 win demonstrates their depth and attacking efficiency, positioning them as legitimate title contenders in the knockout phase.
– The team will seek to translate pool-stage dominance into sustained success in the later rounds, while other top teams in the field will be aiming to disrupt their progress.
– The broader trend in Fiji school football shows growing strength and competitiveness among Ba-based programs, which bodes well for the development of girls’ football in the country.
Summary
Xavier College’s emphatic 9-0 win over Vunimono High School secures their quarter-final place in the Open Girls grade, finishing atop Pool E and carrying strong momentum into the knockout rounds. The victory adds another chapter to Xavier’s rising profile in Fiji’s youth football scene, following recent competitive showings against strong Open Girls programs.
Positive note
The surge in performance from Xavier and other Ba-based schools points to a bright future for Fiji’s Open Girls football, with more young players gaining exposure, confidence, and pathways to higher levels of the game.
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