The Ultimate Fiji Cup is mid way through competition, with an U15 and U17 Regional Girls side and Under 13 Regional Boys side representing South Australia.

After arriving in Fiji and settling in, the girls were quick on to the park in a pre-tournament competition to help acclimatize to the challenging conditions.

The U15s experienced a successful campaign drawing nil all with New South Wales (NSW) and defeating Fiji 1-0 with a first half goal by Broken Hill youngster Taylor Fletcher proving to be the difference.

Next up the Under 15 girls again faced NSW and were expecting another tough match which was fought out in very trying conditions and the score was nil all at the half time break. Unfortunately after half time NSW made a break though and netted a goal just before the end of the game.

Girls U15’s Head Coach James Kerr noted that some valuable information was gained through the experience and the level that the girls have reached is very good.

The U17 Girls had some mixed results against some very strong opponents.

The first game against NSW ended in a 2-0 defeat although the girls put in a solid performance. The Second game was against Fiji and the South Australian side was unlucky not to come away with a result after hitting the woodwork twice.  The match ended up with a nil all score line at full time.

Tony D’Agostino the Under 17 Girls Head Coach said  that the girls have trained and prepared well and know they can compete with these teams heading in to the main event.

Day 1 of the Ultimate Fiji Cup started with the opening ceremony with the Fijian Prime Minister in attendance at the Fiji National Training Centre in Ba. After the ceremony concluded a full day of games began with the U17 and 15 Girls to play NSW first up with the U13 Boys to play two matches against Fiji South and the Fiji West with the day providing some mixed results from the SA Teams.

The U17 Girls persevered through a lot of early pressure from NSW to head into the half time break nil all. After the break the girls came out firing and were having their fair share of opportunities without any impact on the score sheet. With ten minutes to play NSW scored on the counter and stuck again five minutes later to see the final score 2-0 to NSW after a tightly contested battle.  The U17’s have a rest day today which will see them recover and prepare for the tough test of facing Fiji West on Wednesday.

After playing NSW twice previously in the pre tournament competition the U15 girls again engaged in a hard fought match, the girls starting strongly and creating many chances but being unable to find the back of the net. NSW scored late in the half to heading into the break 1-0 up and then stuck again within minutes of the restart. The SA girls regrouped and put together some good passages of play which resulted in a goal to Kate Kourmouzis from Mt Gambier. The girls battled on to try to even the ledger but NSW scored again with the game concluding with a 3-1 score line. The girl’s today travel to Nadi to face the Fijian team.

The Boys Teams started their campaign strongly with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Fiji South. After a short break the boys then took on Fiji West with the conditions starting to have an impact with the game finishing at 1 all. The Boys remaining undefeated at the end of day 1 and Boys Head Coach Cristiano Dos Santos noted that he was happy with the result.

“The Fiji teams were very physical but I am pleased with the boy’s efforts and results so far.”

The Boys now face NSW and Fiji West it what will again be two cracking games of football.

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