FRIENDS United FC from Nasinu has successfully advanced to the play-offs of the National Club Championship after a strong performance in the Southern Zone qualifiers held over the weekend. The team secured the top position in Pool A, beginning with an impressive 7-1 victory against Lami Rangers on Friday, followed by a hard-fought draw of 1-1 with the Pacific Specialist Healthcare Combine Brothers on Saturday.
Coach and captain Nitan Kumar expressed his gratitude for the team’s achievements, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the players. “I’d like to thank the Almighty for the strength He has given us and the guidance for the team’s victory. It’s not just about winning; even a draw allowed us to qualify for the next round,” Kumar stated. He commended his players for giving their all, stating, “They did their part and they just gave their 100 percent.”
Achieving this milestone has not come without its challenges. Kumar shared that the team has had to balance work commitments and limited training opportunities. Finding suitable grounds for practice in Suva has been difficult, and many players have been called up for district and national duties, which has made training as a cohesive unit a challenge. “We would never gather together like a team,” he explained. The roster includes eight futsal players from the Fiji team and the Suva futsal team, along with several former district representatives.
Looking ahead, Kumar acknowledges that there is still significant room for improvement. “There is a lot of room for improvement, we are still learning, we are not playing as a unit because most of the boys are working, so it’s hard to get the boys together,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Combine Brothers team is set to compete against Tailevu Naitasiri’s Police FC in their upcoming match. The progress made by FRIENDS United FC serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of teamwork and resilience despite the obstacles they face.