Lautoka FC eyes Fiji FACT trophy

Lautoka FC will leave no stone unturned as they prepare for Saturday’s BiC Fiji FACT semifinal despite having limited time to train this week.

The Blues face Navua in the first semifinal at Subrail Park before hosts and defending champions Labasa take on Ba in the second semifinal.

Lautoka head coach Anginesh Prasad said the team returned home on Monday and only has two training sessions before making the trip back to Labasa for the knockout clash.

“We do not have much time because we returned to Lautoka on Monday and will travel back to Labasa before the semifinal,” Prasad said.

“Navua is a fast and physical team. We will use these two training sessions to prepare as best as we can for the match.”

Prasad revealed there are injury concerns within the squad, with players to be assessed before the semifinal.

Despite the challenges, the Blues mentor remains confident his side can rise to the occasion.

“We are known to play football and that is what we will continue to do. We will fight until the final whistle and give our best. Whatever the result, our aim is to win the semifinal and reach the final.”

Lautoka will draw confidence from their proud history in the tournament. The Blues are four-time Fiji FACT champions, having lifted the title in 2000, 2002, 2023 and 2024.

Their most recent triumph came in 2024 when they defeated Navua 1-0 in the final at Subrail Park, courtesy of an 82nd-minute free kick from Aporosa Yada. The victory secured back-to-back titles for the Blues after ending a 21-year title drought in 2023.

However, Lautoka’s title defence ended in the semifinals last year when they were eliminated by Labasa.

Saturday’s first semifinal between Lautoka and Navua kicks off at 2pm, while Labasa faces Ba at 4.30pm.

The BiC Fiji FACT final will be played at 3pm on Sunday.