The 2017 Vodafone Fijian Secondary Schools Football Championship defending champions Nukuloa College looks the firm favourites to qualify for the quarterfinals.

The boys majority of whom are from the ‘Men in Black’ town have seven points in bag after recording an impressive 3-0 win over debutants Saint Vincent College in the Pool D fixture at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori yesterday.

Having a successful start of the tournament yesterday, Nukuloa defeated SSKMC Nadi 2-0 in their first match before holding Savusavu to a scoreless draw.

Coach Nazim Ali said they meant business as far as their title defence was concerned.

Action from the girls competition during the Vodafone Fijian Secondary Schools Football Championship at Ratu Cakobau Park on August 14, 2017. Photo: Vodafone Fiji

“We have been preparing very well and we mean business as far as football is concerned.

“We’re trying to organise and play constructive football and we would like to help the young talents as we want them to play constructive football that can also help the nation,” he said.

Laced with Ba rep Tevita Ratu together with district youths Saif Ali, Jona Qata and Isikeli Roro, the Nukuloa College assistant principal said pressure was really high.

He said they have district pride wearing the famous black jersey and would be taking each game at a time.

“We have confidence in the team because we are wearing that black jersey which is famous for our district and I’m very confident that we are going to qualify for the quarter finals.

Nukuloa College had defeated Baulevu High 2-1 in the final at the Academy grounds in Ba last year.

Results: Nadi Muslim College 7-0 Balata High, DAV Suva 2-0 All Saints

Nukuloa College 3-0 Saint Vincent College, SSKMC 0-0 Gospel High, Kamil Muslim College 2-0 Vashist Muni, Khalsa College (Labasa) 2-0 Sigatoka Methodist, Lautoka Central 0-1 Baulevu High, Tavua College 2-3 Cuvu College.

Women: Xavier 5-0 Sigatoka Andhra, Savusavu Secondary 1-1 Kamil College, Sigatoka Methodist 1-1 Nasinu, Nasinu 0-1 Sigatoka Andhra, Xavier 1-3 Kamil, Savusavu Secondary 3-0 Sigatoka Methodist, SVC 0-0 Tailevu North, AD Patel 6-0 Vunimono, All Saints 2-1 Vunimono, AD Patel 12-0 Tailevu North, Nasinu 0-12 Kamil, Xavier 0-0 Savusavu, Sigatoka Methodist 1-0 Sigatoka Andhra, Xavier 8-0 Nasinu, Savusavu 3-0 Andhra, All Saints 1-0 Tailevu North, AD Patel 7-0 SVC.

-Vodafone Fiji

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