Ba soccer creates history August 9

The 4R Electric Ba soccer team has created history in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants after beating the Shop and Save Lautoka soccer team 1-nil.

Ba is the first team to win the BOG title for the 4th year in a row.

Ba scored in the 9th minute of the first half from striker Osea Vakatalesau.

This is how soccer commentator Raymond Stodarrt describe the goal.

Goal scorer Osea Vakatalesau says he was confident all the way that he will score the winning goal in the final.

Coach Yogendra Dutt believes his players stick to the game to beat Lautoka.

The Men In Black were reduced to 10 players in the 15th minute second half after Shalen Lal was shown a red card.

Lautoka mounted attack after attack in the second spell but the Ba defense held on till the final whistle.

Lautoka-Ba clash in BOG final August 9

The Shop and Save Lautoka soccer team will take on the 4R Electric Ba team in the finals of the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament this afternoon at Churchill Park.

Lautoka beat Suva 1-nil in the first semifinal while Ba also defeated Navua with the same score line.

Striker Kamal Hassan scored in the 9th minute of the first half after early attempts from Keni Doidoi and Niumaia Tagi was stopped by Suva goal-keeper Ilimeleki Tukai.

Suva came back strongly in the second half to try and equalise but the Lautoka defense held them at bay.

The sugar city boys are trying to end their 24 years losing streak in the BOG.

In the second semi-final Ba scored at the stroke of halftime from a Ronal Lawrence header to win against Navua by 1-nil.

The Men In Black are also out to create history in trying to win the BOG title for the 4th year in a row.

The final between Ba and Lautoka is at 3.30pm and you can catch a live commentary on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Lautoka-Suva, Ba-Navua clash in BOG semis August 9

The battle of the two cities Lautoka and Suva will kick off the first semifinal of the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants this morning.

Lautoka finished in the number 1 position in Pool 1 after recording an unbeaten run in pool play will take on Suva who are the runners up in Pool 2.

The sugar city boys hold Navua to a nil all draw in the last game yesterday and remain on track to end their 24 year losing streak in the BOG.

In the second semifinal, defending champion Ba will play Navua.

Ba suffered their first defeat in the BOG yesterday losing 1-nil to Labasa.

But the Men In Black still lead Poll 2 with 2 win and a draw.

Ressults from last night, Navua and Lautoka played to a nil all draw, Nadroga and Tavua were locked at one all, Suva defeated Nadi 1-nil and Labasa edged Ba 1-nil.

The first semifinal between Lautoka and Suva will kick-off at 9.30am before Ba takes on Navua at 11am, and you can catch a live commentary on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Navua and Lautoka stand a good chance of qualifying into the semifinals of the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament tomorrow.

Defending champions, Ba, have already booked their spot while the other three spots will be determined after the Lautoka/Navua match this evening.

Rewa and Nasinu were the first two teams to be booted out of the tournament after both team’s recorded two losses and a draw each.

Looking at the results from the games played so far today: Nadi thumped Nasinu by 5 goals to nil, Lautoka held Tavua to a 0-all draw and Rewa also held Navua to a 0-all draw.

Currently underway is the match between Ba and Labasa, at 5:45pm Nadi meet Suva, Nadroga take on Tavua at 7pm and the last game of the day is at 8:15pm where hosts Lautoka meet Navua.

Seven teams will be fighting for the final three spots in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants pool games today to advance into the semifinals tomorrow.

Defending Battle of the Giants champions Ba have already confirmed their place after wins against Suva and Nasinu and a draw against Nadi.

Rewa and Nasinu are the first two teams to be booted out of the tournament after both team’s recorded two losses and a draw each.

Looking at the games that were played yesterday: Southern Forest Navua beat Nadroga 2-nil, Suva beat Nasinu 2-0 in the first game but lost to Ba 1-nil in the second game last night.

Tavua beat Rewa 1-nil, Labasa and Nadi played to a 2-all draw and Lautoka proved too good for Nadroga after they beat them by 4 goals to 1.

In the match currently underway, Nasinu and Nadi are tied nil all.

In other games today: Lautoka take on Tavua at 12:45pm and Rewa meet Navua at 2pm.

A commentary of the Lautoka/Tavua and Rewa/Navua match can be heard on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Defending Battle of the Giants champions Men in Black Ba is the first team to book a spot in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament that is currently underway.

Rewa and Nasinu are the first two teams to be booted out of the tournament after both team’s recorded two losses and a draw each.

Looking at the games that were played yesterday: Southern Forest Navua beat Nadroga 2-nil, Suva beat Nasinu 2-0 in the first game but lost to Ba 1-nil in the second game last night.

Tavua beat Rewa 1-nil, Labasa and Nadi played to a 2-all draw and Lautoka proved too good for Nadroga after they beat them by 4 goals to 1.

In today's games, at 11:30am Nadi meet Nasinu, Lautoka take on Tavua at 12:45pm and Rewa meet Navua at 2pm.

The Nasinu soccer team is the first team to bow out of the 2009 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants after they were beaten by the capital side Suva, by 2 goals to nil, although they still have a game in hand against Nadi tomorrow.

This was Nasinu's third game of the tournament and they lost out to Ba by 4 goals to nil last week and drew with Labasa 1-all last night.

Krishna Sami scored Suva's first goal in the 19th minute of the first half and Manoa Seru scored the second goal in the 27th minute of the second half.

This is Suva's first win in the BOG, after coming out of a draw to Labasa 1-all last week and will meet Ba in their second match later this evening.

In other games today, currently underway is the game between Navua and Nadroga, a commentary of the match can be heard on our sister station Radio Sargam, at 5pm Tavua meet Rewa, at 6:15pm Labasa meets Nadi, at 7:30pm Suva take on defending champions Ba and the last game at 8:45pm, hosts Lautoka meet Nadroga.

5 teams in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament will know by this evening if they have any chance of reaching the semifinal stages.

Suva, Nasinu, Rewa, Labasa and Nadroga would have played 3 pool games each at the end of the second day, today, and their respective results will decide whether they are still in the running for the semifinal.

Nasinu will be the first team to know their fate when they take on Suva in the first game of day 2.

After playing 2 matches, they have 1 point with games remaining against Suva and Nadi.

Rewa after last night’s 2-nil loss to Lautoka will have to beat Tavua today and Navua tomorrow to stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage.

Nadroga has a tough day with giants Navua and later in the evening they will play host Lautoka.

The first game today is at 2.30pm between Suva and Nasinu you can catch a live commentary of the match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

The Labasa soccer team now faces a must win situation in their remaining two pool games in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants to stay in contention for a semifinal spot.

After a 1-all draw against Nasinu yesterday, the Babasiga boys will now need to beat Nadi this evening and defending champions Ba tomorrow to remain in the running for the semifinal.

President Abinesh Kumar said that his boys will have to deliver the results against two of the best teams in their pool.

Kumar confirmed the Labasa team will make changes to their starting line-up from the team that drew with Nasinu.

In pool 2, defending champion Ba was held to a nil-all draw by Nadi yesterday but still leads the points standing with 4 points.

Labasa is in second place with 2 points from 2 games while Suva has 1 point from last week’s game against Labasa.

The opening game today at 2.30pm, Suva will play Nasinu and you can catch a live commentary on Radio Sargam.

None of the teams that played in the opening day of the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants have been impressive with their performance.

Our sister station Radio Sargam’s soccer commentator Raymond Stoddart said while Navua and Lautoka recorded wins last night, the standard of soccer was not up to par.

Navua defeated Tavua 2-nil while Lautoka also recorded the same score line against Rewa.

Both Lautoka and Navua now lead pool 1 with 3 points and remain on track for a semifinal spot.

In pool 2, defending champion Ba was held to a nil-all draw by Nadi yesterday.

Although the Men in Black dominated possession and territory, they found the Nadi defense hard to break.

Ba leads pool 2 with 4 points from 2 games.

In the opening game, Labasa was lucky to force a 1-all draw against Nasinu.

The opening game today at 2.30pm, Suva will play Nasinu and you can catch a live commentary on Radio Sargam.

The Lautoka and Navua soccer team started their 2009 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants on a high note last night winning their respective pool games.

Navua defeated Tavua 2-nil while Lautoka also recorded the same scoreline against Rewa.

The Gurjeet Singh coached Navua side scored through Pita Bolaitoga while host Lautoka had to rely on striker Jone Vono Jnr to score both goals against Rewa.

Both Lautoka and Navua now lead Pool 1 with 3 points and remain on track for a semifinal spot.

Lautoka coach Dennis Singh believes the current players in the team can end their 24 year losing streak in the BOG now that there have been tagged as the favourites.

In Pool 2 defending champion Ba was held to a nil all draw by Nadi yesterday.

Although the Men In Black dominated possession and territory they found the Nadi defence hard to break.

Ba leads Pool 2 with 4 points from 2 games.

In the opening game Labasa was lucky to force a 1 all draw against Nasinu.

Nasinu scored first before the Babasiga Lions equalised in the 28th minute of the second half through New Zealand based Benjamin Totori.

The opening game of today at 2.30pm Suva will play Nasinu and you can catch a live commentary on Radio Sargam.

The opening INKK Battle of the Giants pool game has ended in a 1-all draw between Nasinu and Labasa.

Nasinu scored in the first half before Labasa equalized in the 28th minute of the second half through New Zealand based Benjamin Totori.

Other live commentaries on our sister radio station Sargam at 7.30pm, where Suva will take on Ba and the last game at 8.45pm, host Lautoka will face Rewa.

The Nasinu soccer teams hopes of reaching the semifinal stages in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants now faces a must win situation against Labasa in the opening pool game this hour.

Nasinu lost to Ba by 4-nil last week, and another defeat this afternoon could be the end of their BOG campaign.

They will take on a Labasa side which has the services of New Zealand based Roy Krishna and Benjamin Totori.

The duo was instrumental in helping the Babasiga Lions to a 1-all draw against Suva last Sunday.

The Nasinu and Labasa game commentary can be heard live this hour on our sister radio station Radio Sargam.

Other live commentaries will be at 7.30pm, where Suva will take on Ba and the last game at 8.45pm, hosts Lautoka will face Rewa.

The stage is set, teams are raring to go and the ground is in its best condition with only 50 minutes remaining for the opening pool game of the 2009 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants.

Fiji Football Association CEO Bob Kumar said the opening ceremony will be held this hour, before Labasa plays Tavua in the first game of day 1.

Kumar has also advised soccer fans to buy their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

You can catch a live commentary of the opening game between Labasa and Tavua at 5pm on our sister radio station Sargam.

Other live commentaries will be at 7.30pm, where Suva will take on Ba and the last game at 8.45pm, hosts Lautoka will face Rewa.

Lautoka soccer Coach Dennis Singh does not want to lose in front of his home crowd in the the first major soccer tournament to be held at Churchill park under his leadership.

As the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants kicks-off this afternoon, Singh who has guided the sugar city boys to win an O-League play-off spot, and the IDC last year, wants the BOG title to stay in Lautoka come Sunday afternoon.

He believes with the help of former Fiji soccer Coach Carlos Buzetti, his side will be able to repeat the 1985 performance in winning the BOG at home.

Lautoka will play in the last pool game tonight at 8.45pm against Rewa.

The INKK Mobile BOG will kick-off at 5pm between Nasinu and Labasa and live commentary can be heard on our sister radio station Sargam.

Defending INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants champion Ba, and Fiji FACT champions Navua will be Lautoka's 2 biggest threats in trying to end their 24 year losing streak.

That's the prediction from former Fiji soccer coach Carlos Buzzetti ahead of the opening game in the BOG.

Buzzetti said Ba will always be a tough team to beat in tournaments like this, while Navua has the depth and experience in the team.

Buzzetti who is assisting Lautoka coach Dennis Singh for the 4 day tournament believes that the sugar city boys at home will have a upper hand against other district.

The Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament kicks off today with the opening match between Labasa and Nasinu at 5pm.

You can catch the live commentary of the match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Fiji soccer team striker Roy Krishna said every soccer player must be disciplined on and off the field as the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants kicks off this afternoon.

Krishna has learnt alot about discipline, playing for Waitakere United and believes discipline is a first step, if any player wants to be a star or get a chance to play for a top team overseas.

He said soccer players must set a good standard in the BOG.

The Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament kicks off today with the opening match between Labasa and Nasinu at 5pm.

You can catch the live commentary of the match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

The Ba soccer team is going for their fourth victory in a row in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Ba has been winning the B.O.G title for the past three years and their officials believe they can create another history this year.

But President Rishi Kumar says most of the team's will be hoping that they go out early from the tournament and stop them from making it four in a row.

He says Ba is ready to defend the title after three of their key players Malakai Kanahawe, Peni Finau and Malakai Tiwa were passed fit for the tournament starting tomorrow.

Ba plays Nadi in their second pool match at 7:30pm tomorrow at Churchill Park.

The first game of the tournament is at 5pm between Labasa and Nasinu and, you can catch the commentary of both these matches on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Fiji FA Chief executive Bob Kumar has confirmed that the overseas based players registered to play in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament are cleared.

Kumar said close to 15 players have been registered by Navua, Lautoka, Labasa, Rewa, Nasinu and Nadroga and they have received all their International Transfer Clearance.

He said this year's B.O.G could be one of the best tournaments with the inclusion of so many oversea players and at the same time the nine Super Premier team's will try to stop Ba from making it four in a row.

The B.O.G tournament officially starts tomorrow at Churchill Park with the opening match between Labasa and Nasinu at 5pm.

Soccer players have been warned to respect the decisions of the referees during the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Fiji FA referees director Chandra Segran said the players must play with cool heads and let the referee do his job and not to put pressure on him even if he makes a mistake.

Segran said like the players, referees are also human beings and they cannot be perfect in making every decision.

The Inkk Mobile BOG kicks off tomorrow at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

New Zealand based Fiji soccer team midfielder Salesh Kumar is in doubt for Navua, in this weekend's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Kumar is not able to get the release from his work although all the efforts are put in to get star midfielder for the four day tournament.

Navua soccer president Anil Sharma said Kumar is a key member to his team and has helped them win tournaments before and was very in this year's Vodafone Fiji Fact.

Sharma said by tomorrow evening, they will know whether he is coming for the tournament or not.

Navua plays Tavua in their opening pool match on Thursday at 6:15pm at Churchill Park.

Suva soccer association officials have asked Fiji FA to seriously look into how the referees are controlling the matches only two days out from the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

They have written to the parent body regarding referee Andrew Achari who controlled their opening round match against Labasa in which both teams played held to a 1-all draw.

In the complaint letter Suva have allegedly that some of Achari's decisions were questionable.

Meanwhile Fiji FA referees director Chandra Segran said they will look into the complaint by Suva soccer but as always the referee’s decisions are final.

The Battle of the Giants soccer tournament kicks off on Thursday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The Ba soccer team will be further boosted this weekend with the return of three key players.

Malakai Kanahawe, Peni Finau and Malakai Tiwa, did not play against Nasinu last weekend because of injury.

Ba soccer president Rishi Kumar said the trio are expected back from their third pool match, as they will have to go through fitness tests.

Kumar said the three players have been doing their own training although they are in camp with rest of the players and if they pass the fitness test, only then will they be considered for the tournament.

Ba leads pool 2 with 3 points after 4-0 victory over Nasinu and plays Nadi in their second pool match on Thursday at 7:30pm in Lautoka.

The Fiji Football Association will provide tight security during the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament from this Thursday.

Chief Executive Bob Kumar said they have already spoken with Lautoka Police and Lautoka City Council on the matter and security personnel will be in and around Churchill Park to ensure an incident-free tournament.

Kumar has also asked the fans to behave professionally and if any spectator is caught doing something wrong then they will be taken out of the ground and will not able to watch any more games during the Tournament.

The B.O.G officially starts on Thursday with the opening match between Labasa and Nasinu at 5pm at Churchill Park.

Former Fiji soccer team coach Carlos Buzetti is back.

This time he is helping Lautoka soccer coach Dennis Singh in this weekend's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Lautoka soccer president Shalen Prasad said Buzetti arrived on Friday and on Saturday and yesterday, he was helping Singh prepare his side.

Prasad said Buzetti's experience can help Lautoka win the BOG title in front of their home crowd.

Lautoka will play Rewa in their opening pool match this Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the opening round of games played over the weekend, Ba thrashed Nasinu 4-0 while the Rewa/Nadroga and Labasa/Suva matches ended in a 1-all draw.

New Zealand based and Labasa's Golden boy Roy Krishna scored their only goal through a penalty in their first INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants game, that ended in a 1-all draw with Suva.

In the 26th minute of the second half Esava Naqeleca equalised with a shot at goal to deny the Babasiga Lions their first win.

In the other INKK Mobile BOG match, Rewa's Joeli Ranitu, former Ba soccer player headed in the first goal in the 21st minute of the second half to lead Nadroga by 1 goal to nil.

However, Nadroga's John Rounds Junior equalised in the 28th minute.

In the lone game played last night, defending BOG champions Ba beat Nasinu 4-0.

The second round of the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants will kick off on Thursday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The Rewa soccer team hopes to continue with the impressive performance they showed during the Fiji Fact, when it takes on Nadroga in their opening match of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giant soccer tournament.

Team Director Vishwa Nair says except for two, the rest of the players in the squad are fit to take the field today.

He says striker Epeli Saukuru and defender Kelepi Qaqa will have their medical test this morning and if passed fit then they will take the field.

Nair knows the strength of the Nadroga team but said his players are mentally and physically prepared to win their opening match today, and go to Lautoka next week for the rest of the matches with their heads held high.

The Rewa/Nadroga match will kick off today at 3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park, while the Labasa/Suva match will kickoff at 1pm today at Subrail Park.

You can catch a live commentary of the Rewa/Nadroga match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Labasa soccer team should not be underestimated now after the inclusion of New Zealand based Roy Krishna and Solomons International Benjamini Totori.

They both form a lethal combination and has also played for Waitakere United together, scoring more than 10 goals among themselves at the New Zealand Football Championship.

The Babasiga Lions, with young players have not won a single match in the National League this season, and failed to qualify for the semifinals at the Fiji Fact.

But Krishna who will play key role from today, said with their experience they should combine well with the new players in Labasa team although they haven’t trained together.

Totori who has signed a new contract with Waitakere United for this season said playing with youngsters will be a different experience.

The Labasa/Suva match will kickoff at 1pm today at Subrail Park.

Ba soccer president Rishi Kumar believes his side can register the first three points from today's game against Nasinu.

Kumar said playing at home and in 90 minutes soccer is a big advantage to his side although they will be without star players Osea Vakatalesau, Roneel Kumar, Malakai Tiwa and Malakai Kanahawe in today's match.

Kumar said they will not underestimate Nasinu and know what they are capable of but if his team clicks today then the southerners will return home empty handed.

The Ba/Nasinu match will kick off at 3pm today at Govind Park in the opening round of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

New Zealand based Fiji soccer star Roy Krishna is happy to be back home and playing for Labasa again.

Krishna will feature for the Babasiga Lions tomorrow in their opening match against Suva in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Speaking to Fijivillage, Krishna said the faith Labasa soccer officials and fans have shown in him, he will not let them down.

Solomons international Benjamin Totori who also arrived last night to play for Labasa, said teaming up with Krishna and Vanuatu international Joseph Nimiriau is a good feeling.

Labasa plays Suva tomorrow at 1pm at Subrail Park.

In the only BOG match today, Ba takes on Nasinu at 3pm at Govind Park.

The Labasa soccer team has been further boosted with the arrival of Solomons international Benjamin Totori.

Totori, who is out of contract at this stage, arrived last night and will head to Labasa today with New Zealand based Roy Krishna.

Both Krishna and Totori played for Waitakere United last season and their combination was regarded as one of the best in the New Zealand Football club competition.

Their arrival is a morale booster in the young Labasa side as they aim to start the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament on a high note when it plays Suva in their opening match tomorrow at Subrail Park.

The match will kickoff at 1pm at Subrail Park.

Ba soccer team midfielder Roneel Kumar will not be featuring in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Kumar who was suspended by Fiji FA till 31st December, has had his suspension reduced to six weeks.

He will now be allowed to play from the 24th of August.

Fiji FA Disciplinary Committee's Jainen Sukhu said Kumar's fine of $500 remains as it is but whatever he did, he must serve a certain period of the suspension so that no other player does that in future.

Kumar was charged for misconduct during a National Soccer League match against Suva earlier this month.

Ba will meet Nasinu in their opening BOG pool match today at Govind Park.

The match will kick off at 3pm and you can catch the live commentary of the match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

National soccer team striker Roy Krishna has jetted into the country in the last hour.

Krishna has been released by his Waitakere United club and will feature for the Babasiga Lions, in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament.

In the first round of games this week, tomorrow at 3pm defending champions Ba will take on Nasinu at Govind Park and you can catch a live commentary of the match on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Meanwhile, two games will be played on Sunday, at 1:30pm Labasa will host Suva at Subrail Park, and Rewa will play Nadroga at 3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.

Ba soccer team midfielder Roneel Kumar will know his fate tonight, whether will be allowed to play in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Kumar who was suspended until 31st of December and fined $500 has appealed against the decision.

Fiji FA Chief Executive Bob Kumar says that the Appeals Committee will meet tonight to decide on Roneel's case.

Roneel was charged for misconduct during the National Soccer League match against Suva earlier this month for mis-conduct.

Meanwhile Ba soccer president Rishi Kumar says he has faith in the Fiji FA Appeals Committee and believes his star midfielder will be given the green light to play against Nasinu tomorrow and also in the rest of matches at the B.O.G tournament.

Fiji soccer team coach Saiyad Ali believes defending champions Ba, can retain their title at the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Ali who took over from Carlos Buzetti, said counting The Men In Black out, will be a big mistake for other team's.

He said Ba has been quite since losing in the Fiji Fact and the three games in the National League competition this season but don't be surprised if they start the tournament on a high note.

He said host Lautoka and Navua are also teams to watch while Suva and Labasa could go in as underdogs.

Ali said this year's B.O.G will be very interesting and he will also be scouting players for the National Under 20 and the National Team.

The opening round of games at the B.O.G starts tomorrow.

Soccer players taking part in this year's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament will be insured.

Fiji FA Chief Executive Bob Kumar said they have an insurance scheme for every soccer player that is affiliated with the parent body.

Kumar said by having the insurance scheme, it also benefits the players if they get injured and most of the cost is covered by Fiji FA.

Meanwhile Kumar said that all preparation for the two week tournament has been done and they are just waiting for the tournament to get underway.

In the opening round of games this weekend, Labasa meets Suva, Ba meets Nasinu and Rewa takes on Nadroga.

The Labasa/Suva match in the opening round of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament is billed as the game of the first round this weekend.

Hardly anyone is talking about the Ba/Nasinu and Rewa/Nadroga match, as thousands of soccer fans in the country will be anxiously waiting to know the outcome of the Suva/Labasa match.

The hype started when Fijivillage sports reported that New Zealand based Roy Krishna is coming over to bolster the Babasiga Lions.

Fiji FA President Doctor Samsud Dean Sahu Khan has also shown a personal interest in this match.

The Labasa/Suva match in the opening round of B.O.G will kick off on Sunday at 1pm at Subrail Park.

The Fiji Football Association will stick with the same prize money as last year for the winning team in this year's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Chief executive Bob Kumar said their major sponsor CJ Patel, has only given them $40,000 sponsorship in total and organizing a tournament is quite expensive.

Kumar said for this year, they will go with the same prize money but there could be changes next year.

He said whatever prize money they have allocated, was agreed to by president Doctor Samsud Dean Sahu Khan.

The Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament kicks off this Saturday with the opening match in the first round between reigning champions Ba and Nasinu at Govind Park.

Lautoka soccer team has secured the services of former Fiji team coach for the rest of the season.

Carlos Buzetti whose contract was terminated by the Fiji Football Association is expected to sign a new contract with the Lautoka Football Association next week.

Lautoka soccer president Shalen Prasad said Buzzetti will be arriving from Vanuatu this weekend and will help coach Dennis Singh prepare the side for next week's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Prasad said Buzetti has also agreed to help Lautoka in this season's O-League and the October's Courts Homecentres IDC.

Prasad is confident that with Buzetti now coming as a technical adviser, Lautoka can end their 22-year drought in the BOG which officially kicks off next week at Churchill Park.

Fiji soccer team striker Roy Krishna is in top form and will easily fit into the young Labasa side for the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Krishna arrives into the country tomorrow and will feature against Suva in the opening of game on Sunday in front of his crowd at Subrail Park.

Waitakere United's Rex Dawkins, who released Krishna for two weeks on loan, said the top striker has recently played in the Chatham Cup for Waitakare City and was in impressive form and the soccer fans in Fiji will see a much improved Krishna.

The Labasa/Suva match will kickoff at 1pm on Sunday.

In other first round games in the BOG, Ba plays Nasinu on Saturday at 3pm at Govind Park and Rewa hosts Nadroga on Sunday at 3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park.

Fiji soccer team's golden boy Roy Krishna is coming home.

New Zealand based Krishna has been given the green light by his Waitakere United club to play in the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Waitakere United chairman Rex Dawkins said the decision to release Krishna was made this morning.

Dawkins said there is also condition on his release that will have to return straight after the tournament is over.

Krishna who will feature for Labasa is expected in the country either on Thursday or Friday.

This means that will be able to play for the Babasiga Lions in the opening match against Suva on Sunday at 1pm at Subrail Park.

Nasinu soccer team's Solomon striker Aldrine Kilua will miss the opening match of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament this Saturday.

Kilua is a Seventh Day Adventist and does not play soccer on Saturdays.

This is a big blow to the Nasinu side as they will face reigning champions Ba in their opening match at Govind Park.

Nasinu soccer secretary Avikash Singh said they may not be able to field a strong lineup on Saturday as some of their key players are not able to get a release from their employers.

Singh said they have asked Fiji FA to shift the match to later in the evening or on Sunday but no reply has come as yet.

The Nasinu/Ba match is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday at Govind Park.

Ba, Suva and Rewa have been tipped to win their opening round of games in this weekend's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

The Men In Black will take on Nasinu this Saturday, and with home crowd advantage they should pick up the first three points. Nasinu has not beaten Ba for a long time at Govind Park.

In other matches, Rewa is expected to beat Nadroga after their impressive performance in the Vodafone Fiji Fact, but Nadroga has been performing well in the 90 minutes of soccer this season.

Host Labasa will bank on its young players to beat Suva at Subrail Park, but the capital city side has been riding high after three straight wins under new Coach Zulfikar Khan.

You can catch the live commentary of Ba/Nasinu match on Saturday and Rewa/Nadroga match on Sunday on our sister station Radio Sargam.

Soccer fans in the country should start saving now if they will be going to watch the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament in Lautoka from next week.

Fiji FA has announced the ticket prizes for the four day tournament and it seems quite expensive.

But chief executive Bob Kumar said it’s reasonable because soccer fans will get to see a good standard of soccer at Churchill Park.

The opening round of games at the B.O.G will be held this weekend with reigning champions Ba playing Nasinu on Saturday at 3pm at Govind Park and then on Sunday Labasa take on Nasinu at Subrail Park at 1pm and Rewa meets Nadroga at Ratu Cakobau Park at 3pm.

4R Electric Ba soccer president Rishi Kumar is confident that they will be able to defend the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer crown next weekend in Lautoka.

Kumar said because of their poor run so far in the Fiji Fact and National League competition, soccer pundits have written off Ba from this year's second major tournament of the year.

He said The Men in Black will bounce back despite most of their key players carrying injuries.

Defender Jone Vesikula and Josua Wilson have been ruled out of the tournament because of injury while Malakai Tiwa, Peni Finau, Roneel Kumar and Osea Vakatalesau were named in the final 22 member squad but remain doubtful.

Ba plays Nasinu in their opening match this Saturday at 3pm at Govind Park.

Fiji FA Chief Executive Bob Kumar said they are into the final stages of the preparation for the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

He said most of the districts have handed in their final registration forms while the remaining districts should give in by tomorrow although the deadline was on Friday.

Kumar said those districts who are delaying in sending their final registration will have to pay fine.

Meanwhile, Kumar said the opening round match between Labasa and Suva for next Saturday has now been shifted to Sunday.

The Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament will start next week with three games in the opening round.

The Lautoka soccer team will know by tomorrow, if their overseas based players will be coming for the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

The sugar city side has registered Australia's Nicola Zonjic, Ali Cen Akbal and Vanuatu's Saimata Chillie.

President Shalen Prasad said the three players will confirm their availability tomorrow but will love to have them in his team since the tournament will be played in Lautoka from the 6th of August.

Prasad is trying his best to get the players over so that they win the tournament in front of their home crowd.

The Fiji Football Association has rescheduled the first round of fixtures for the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Chief Executive Bob Kumar said the Suva soccer team was not able to get a flight for next Saturday for their match against Labasa.

This has forced them to move the match to Sunday.

Soccer fans in the country will again get to see overseas players in action for few districts in next month's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Labasa soccer officials have registered Solomon’s Benjamini Totori, Kidston Billy, Vanuatu's Saimata Chillia and New Zealand based Roy Krishna in their 30 member squad.

Host Lautoka is trying their best to fly in Australian based goalkeeper Ali Cem Akbal and Nicola Zonjic so that they can win the title at the home ground while Rewa is trying to secure the services of New Zealand's Lance Jude and Solomon’s Elliot Rogoya.

Nasinu will also have Solomon’s players playing for them and Navua has managed to rope in New Zealand based Salesh Kumar, James Naka and Jack Wetney from Solomon’s while rest of the team's Ba, Nadroga, Nadi, Tavua and Suva will rely on their local players to win the second major tournament of the year.

The opening round of games in the B.O.G tournament will be held next week.

Nadi soccer team officials have not included its six experienced players in their final 22 member squad for next month's Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament.

Veteran Viliame Toma, Josefa Tabusau, Ratu Josefa Dugucagi, Peniasi Vakasaukuru, Senaila Dakaica and Mohammed Salmeen were not considered because of work and family commitments.

Team manager Mohammed Imraaz said they will be taking a very young side into the tournament and coach Ravuama Madigi has been working overtime in trying to put up a good team.

The jet-setters last won the BOG title in 1996 and last played the final in 2007 going down to Ba by 2-1.

Nadi will open their B.O.G campaign against reigning champions Ba on the 6th of August at Churchill Park.

Fiji Football Association has released the fixtures for the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament with Labasa, Ba and Rewa hosting the first round of games on the 1st and 2nd of August.

Chief executive Bob Kumar said all Board members have agreed with the way fixtures have been set up for the first round and the remainder of the games that will be held from 6th to 9th August at Churchill Park.

He said Labasa will host Suva in the opening round next Saturday.

The match will be played at 1:30pm at Vodafone Subrail Park.

Reigning champions Ba will open their campaign against Nasinu at 3pm on Saturday at Govind Park while Rewa will take on Nadroga on Sunday, 2nd August at Vodafone Ratu Cakobau Park.

Kumar said the first three games in the opening round will be played for 90 minutes while they will revert to 60 minutes of soccer when the tournament officially kicks off in Lautoka.

New Zealand based Labasa soccer team striker Roy Krishna's chance of playing in next month's Ikk Mobile Battle of the Giants soccer tournament is rated as 50/50.

Krishna is tied up with the Waitakere City side, who will be playing in the Chatham Cup quarterfinal this weekend.

Waitakere team official Rex Dawkins said they will have to wait for the results of this weekend’s game to confirm his availability for the B.O.G.

Meanwhile the Fiji Football Association will confirm the first 3 rounds of games in the BOG this Friday.

The 2009 BOG will be held at Churchill Park in Lautoka from the 6th to the 9th of next month.

CJ Patel Pacific Fiji Limited has given $40,000 in sponsorship for the INKK Mobile 2009 Battle of the Giants tournament that will be held next month.

The draws have been released by the Fiji Football Association this afternoon and Fiji FACT finalists, Lautoka and Southern Forest Navua are drawn in the same pool with Tavua, Nadroga and Rewa.

"Men in Black" Ba lead pool B alongside Nadi, Labasa, Nasinu and Suva.

The two week INNK Mobile 2009 Battle of the Giants tournament will be held from August 1 - August 9 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Lautoka and Navua won't feature in the opening round of the Battle of the Giants soccer tournament, which will be played on the 1st and 2nd of August at different venues.

The sugar city side is the host of the BOG and will play all their games from 6th to 9th August at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Fiji FA President Doctor Samsud Dean Sahu Khan said they have also excluded Navua from the opening round because most of their top players will return from Tahiti that weekend after taking part in the Oceania Beach Soccer championship.

Meanwhile, the pools for the Battle of the Giants soccer tournament will be drawn today at 2pm.