Marked for Christopher Kumar
From our football correspondent
Upbeat
Match8 Apr 2028
Nadi through in the cup
A 0‑0 win over Nasinu, and the draw for the next round can be watched with some interest for once.
Match5 Apr 2028
Cup ties wait for somebody to seize them, and Aditya Sentosa obliged against Nasinu. 3‑1 on the night, and the name in the next round’s hat is Nadi.
Market10 Apr 2028
Clivert Sam hands in a written request
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Nadi can pretend not to have heard.
Match10 Apr 2028
Every point is an argument now for Nadi
Position 8 and 7 points, and the table gets read bottom-up in this part of town. The calendar has stopped being a schedule and started being a countdown.
The terraces10 Apr 2028
Nadi supporters have found a favourite in Aditya Sentosa
There is a particular warmth a ground reserves for a 22-year-old it feels ownership of. Aditya Sentosa has it now, and everything he does for the rest of his time here will be measured against the goodwill he was handed for free.
Player ratings10 Apr 2028
There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.63, and no argument anywhere in the ground.
Player ratings10 Apr 2028
Apisai Sesewa was on a different afternoon to everybody else
8.55. There are performances a supporter describes to somebody who was not there and cannot quite convey; this was one, and the number does not help either.
Squad10 Apr 2028
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Match5 Apr 2028
Conceding is one thing; the response is what tells you about a dressing room. Aditya Sentosa had Nadi level again within 2 minutes, and Nasinu never got to play with a lead at all.
Back issues
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market25 Oct 2027
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Nadi they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
Squad25 Oct 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad25 Oct 2027
Sakaraia Cama falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Match18 Oct 2027
Nadi are in real trouble now
Position 8, 19 points, and a fixture list with fewer games left in it than excuses. The arithmetic is not cruel yet, but it has stopped being kind.
Squad18 Oct 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad18 Oct 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Aditya Sentosa is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market4 Oct 2027
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Market4 Oct 2027
Only the photograph left for Sakaraia Cama
Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Sakaraia Cama will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Nadi the goodbyes have quietly begun.
Squad4 Oct 2027
“The easiest signature of my career.” Christopher Kumar and Nadi agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Squad4 Oct 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Aidan Malakai Singh was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad4 Oct 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Sakaraia Cama is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Boardroom4 Oct 2027
The numbers do not look good at Nadi
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market13 Sep 2027
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Nadi is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
Squad13 Sep 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad13 Sep 2027
Leo Lesumai gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market6 Sep 2027
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Market6 Sep 2027
The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.
Market6 Sep 2027
Sakaraia Cama has one foot out of the door
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Nadi they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
Squad6 Sep 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad6 Sep 2027
The manager makes an example of Afraz Ali
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad6 Sep 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Aditya Sentosa is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market30 Aug 2027
Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Christopher Nailatikau will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Nadi the goodbyes have quietly begun.
Squad30 Aug 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Market30 Aug 2027
Both sides expect a conversation in the coming days. Nadi will name a price, and everything after that is arithmetic.
Squad30 Aug 2027
Aditya Sentosa falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad30 Aug 2027
Nikesh Singh gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Squad30 Aug 2027
When it matters, Clivert Sam plays
It is never announced and it is entirely visible: the biggest afternoons of the season keep containing him. A press box works this out long before anybody at the club confirms a word of it.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad16 Aug 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 17 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Squad16 Aug 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Nadi may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad16 Aug 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad9 Aug 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 24 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market9 Aug 2027
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Market9 Aug 2027
Only the photograph left for Jale Bari
Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Jale Bari will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Nadi the goodbyes have quietly begun.
Squad9 Aug 2027
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Eneriko Matau commits to Nadi for another 4 years.
Squad9 Aug 2027
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Market9 Aug 2027
Both sides expect a conversation in the coming days. Nadi will name a price, and everything after that is arithmetic.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad2 Aug 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 31 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Squad2 Aug 2027
“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Ratu Halstead and Nadi agree another 2 years.
Squad2 Aug 2027
Vinayak Rao in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad26 Jul 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 38 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match26 Jul 2027
Nadi are in real trouble now
Position 8, 19 points, and a fixture list with fewer games left in it than excuses. The arithmetic is not cruel yet, but it has stopped being kind.
Market26 Jul 2027
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Squad26 Jul 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Vishant Reddy was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Market26 Jul 2027
The phone has started ringing about Christopher Nailatikau again, and this time the name on the line is Nasinu. Nadi are listening politely and promising nothing.
Squad26 Jul 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Aditya Sentosa is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad19 Jul 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 45 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market19 Jul 2027
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Nadi can pretend not to have heard.
Market19 Jul 2027
Nadi say no — this time
The offer from Tailevu Naitasiri for Sakaraia Cama was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Squad19 Jul 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad19 Jul 2027
Aditya Sentosa falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad19 Jul 2027
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad12 Jul 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 52 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market12 Jul 2027
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Nadi can pretend not to have heard.
Market12 Jul 2027
Jale Bari has one foot out of the door
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Nadi they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
Market12 Jul 2027
The phone has started ringing about Sakaraia Cama again, and this time the name on the line is Tailevu Naitasiri. Nadi are listening politely and promising nothing.
Squad12 Jul 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad12 Jul 2027
No hiding place for Afraz Ali
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Afraz Ali, and the manager let it.
From our football correspondent
Crisis
Squad5 Jul 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 59 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market5 Jul 2027
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Nadi is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
Player ratings5 Jul 2027
A chastening introduction for Jale Bari — 5.73
It is a hard way to meet a crowd. Marked 5.73 on the day he was handed the shirt, and the important thing now is what the next one looks like.
Market5 Jul 2027
Nadi say no — this time
The offer from Navua for Apisai Sesewa was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Match3 Jul 2027
Nadi come up short against Nadroga
Nadroga left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.
Squad5 Jul 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Vishant Reddy, and the manager let it.
Squad5 Jul 2027
Aditya Sentosa falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Boardroom5 Jul 2027
Intake day at the Nadi academy
5 arrivals, an average age nobody would call a squad, and a set of parents being shown around a building their sons will spend more time in than at home. The scouting has already happened; today is only the paperwork.
Squad5 Jul 2027
A place in the month's best eleven for Tuiba Batiratu
Four or five weekends of consistency, judged against everybody in the division doing his job. Tuiba Batiratu has come out of that comparison in the side, and Nadi have had the benefit of every one of those afternoons.
From our football correspondent
Crisis
Squad28 Jun 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 66 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match28 Jun 2027
Nadi sink to position 8
19 points, and a fixture list that is running out. The mathematics are not yet cruel, but they are no longer kind.
The terraces28 Jun 2027
8th and falling: the mood at Nadi has gone
19 points and a position everybody in the ground can do the arithmetic on. The songs have stopped being about the team and started being about surviving, which is a different noise entirely.
Market28 Jun 2027
The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.
Market28 Jun 2027
The phone has started ringing about Apisai Sesewa again, and this time the name on the line is Navua. Nadi are listening politely and promising nothing.
Squad28 Jun 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Rocky Junior, and the manager let it.
Squad28 Jun 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Aditya Sentosa is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Match26 Jun 2027
Nadi hit back inside 2 minutes
Labasa held the lead for 2 minutes, which is not long enough to enjoy it. Nadi answered before the celebration had properly finished, and the shape of the afternoon changed with it.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad21 Jun 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 73 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market21 Jun 2027
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Nadi, and it is not being withdrawn.
Squad21 Jun 2027
“Some mornings you wake up and you are still a long way from everything you know.” It is not the football and it never was; Nadi are dealing with a man who wants a different country.
Squad21 Jun 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Meli Talevakarua was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad21 Jun 2027
The team sheet said everything about Afraz Ali
Warm-up bib, ninety minutes of watching, and a handshake at the end that fooled nobody. Big matches tell you who a manager trusts; this one told Afraz Ali.
Player ratings21 Jun 2027
Successful dribbles: 13. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad14 Jun 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 80 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market14 Jun 2027
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Nadi, and it is not being withdrawn.
Squad14 Jun 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Vinayak Rao was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
The terraces14 Jun 2027
At 23 he is being sung about by people twice his age, which is an affection a signing has to earn over years and a local kid gets for turning up. It is also the hardest thing in football to live up to.
Match12 Jun 2027
Nasinu made Nadi work for it, but the scoreboard read 1‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.
Squad14 Jun 2027
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Aditya Sentosa is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Squad14 Jun 2027
The manager makes an example of Afraz Ali
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Player ratings14 Jun 2027
7.86, and no serious argument from anybody who was there. Nadi had eleven men on the pitch and one of them decided how it went.
Market14 Jun 2027
Everyone has stopped pretending: Nasinu will make the call about Christopher Nailatikau this week. Nadi have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.
From our football correspondent
Crisis
Match5 Jun 2027
No end in sight to Nadi's wait for a win
11 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Nadi has to find a result from somewhere.
Squad7 Jun 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 87 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
The terraces7 Jun 2027
The ground has had enough
“We travel everywhere and we get this.” 8 of the 24 senior players heard it walking off, and the ones who did not hear it were not playing.
Squad7 Jun 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Match5 Jun 2027
A bad afternoon for Nadi against Rewa
0‑1 to Rewa, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.
Market7 Jun 2027
The phone has started ringing about Apisai Sesewa again, and this time the name on the line is Nasinu. Nadi are listening politely and promising nothing.
Squad7 Jun 2027
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad7 Jun 2027
Aditya Sentosa falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Player ratings7 Jun 2027
Successful dribbles: 13. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad31 May 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 94 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match29 May 2027
No end in sight to Nadi's wait for a win
10 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Nadi has to find a result from somewhere.
Squad31 May 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Vishant Reddy was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad31 May 2027
The manager makes an example of Vinayak Rao
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Match29 May 2027
2‑2, and both dressing rooms will call it two points lost. A draw that asked plenty of questions and answered none of them.
Player ratings31 May 2027
Successful dribbles: 13. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad24 May 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 101 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match22 May 2027
The wait goes on for Nadi
9 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.
Squad24 May 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Nadi may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad24 May 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad24 May 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to William Valentine, and the manager let it.
Match22 May 2027
It needed Meli Talevakarua to find the net to bring anything home at all: 1‑1 against Lautoka, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.
Player ratings24 May 2027
5.41 on the card. Some afternoons a footballer looks like a man who has only just been introduced to the game, and this was one of them.
Player ratings24 May 2027
Successful dribbles: 11. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Market24 May 2027
The Rocky Junior story refuses to die
It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Rocky Junior signs something — a contract at Nadi or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad17 May 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 108 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Market17 May 2027
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Nadi, and it is not being withdrawn.
Match15 May 2027
The wait goes on for Nadi
8 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.
Squad17 May 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Nadi may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad17 May 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad17 May 2027
The manager makes an example of Rocky Junior
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Match15 May 2027
Honours even between Nadi and Navua
1‑1, and both dressing rooms will call it two points lost. A draw that asked plenty of questions and answered none of them.
Player ratings17 May 2027
Marked 5.73, and generously at that. Nothing came off, and by the end the crowd had stopped expecting it to.
Player ratings17 May 2027
Marked 5.75, and generously at that. Nothing came off, and by the end the crowd had stopped expecting it to.
From our football correspondent
Crisis
Squad10 May 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 115 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match8 May 2027
The wait goes on for Nadi
7 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.
Squad10 May 2027
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Nadi have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The terraces10 May 2027
The boos come down from three sides
“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 5 of the 24 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
Match8 May 2027
Pauliasi Tulivou scored, and precious little else went right: 1‑2 to Suva, and a quiet walk to the dressing room.
Squad10 May 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad10 May 2027
Afraz Ali gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Player ratings10 May 2027
Successful dribbles: 12. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
Player ratings10 May 2027
5.45. Every footballer has these and most of them happen away from a full ground; his did not, and he will be aware of that all week.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad3 May 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 122 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match1 May 2027
The wait goes on for Nadi
6 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.
Squad3 May 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Jonasa Ravukitiliva, and the manager let it.
In brief
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Squad
Words at Nadi training over how hard people work
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Squad
Tempers go at Nadi
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Match
Honours even between Nadi and Nadroga
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Player ratings
Nobody could get near Eneriko Matau
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad26 Apr 2027
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 129 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match24 Apr 2027
No end in sight to Nadi's wait for a win
5 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Nadi has to find a result from somewhere.
Squad26 Apr 2027
Vinayak Rao in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad26 Apr 2027
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Player ratings26 Apr 2027
Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 19 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.
Player ratings26 Apr 2027
Successful dribbles: 15. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
Squad26 Apr 2027
Aditya Sentosa falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Match24 Apr 2027
Nadi draw a blank against Labasa
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Labasa defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Market26 Apr 2027
The Rocky Junior story refuses to die
It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Rocky Junior signs something — a contract at Nadi or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad19 Apr 2027
Bones knit. That is the one merciful thing about this injury and the reason Nadi will talk about it more openly than they would about a knee. He will be back, and roughly when they say.
Match17 Apr 2027
No end in sight to Nadi's wait for a win
4 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Nadi has to find a result from somewhere.
Squad19 Apr 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad19 Apr 2027
The manager makes an example of Tuiba Batiratu
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Match17 Apr 2027
No time for Ba to settle
The goal that put Ba ahead was still being replayed on the concourse when Nadi equalised, 3 minutes later. Leads are only worth what you do with them.
Match17 Apr 2027
It needed Rocky Junior to find the net to bring anything home at all: 1‑1 against Ba, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.
Squad19 Apr 2027
Rocky Junior finally opens his account
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Nadi have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Player ratings19 Apr 2027
5.60. Every footballer has these and most of them happen away from a full ground; his did not, and he will be aware of that all week.
Player ratings19 Apr 2027
Successful dribbles: 9. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad12 Apr 2027
Bones knit. That is the one merciful thing about this injury and the reason Nadi will talk about it more openly than they would about a knee. He will be back, and roughly when they say.
Squad12 Apr 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Nadi may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad12 Apr 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Vishant Reddy was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad5 Apr 2027
Bones knit. That is the one merciful thing about this injury and the reason Nadi will talk about it more openly than they would about a knee. He will be back, and roughly when they say.
Match31 Mar 2027
The small margins put Nadi out
Out, 1‑2 to Nadroga, and the long argument about which of the small moments decided it. The league is all there is now, and everybody knows it.
Player ratings5 Apr 2027
Lauren Bali could not have asked for more on his first appearance — 7.36
Debuts are survived rather than enjoyed. This one was enjoyed: 7.36, 1 goals, and a manager already being asked whether he starts again next week.
Squad5 Apr 2027
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad5 Apr 2027
Rocky Junior gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Squad5 Apr 2027
The award is a small thing with a heavy meaning: for four weeks nobody in this division did his job better. Nadi have the trophy on a shelf and the player in the side.
Player ratings5 Apr 2027
Successful dribbles: 13. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
Match3 Apr 2027
Nadi and Rewa cancel each other out
Nil-nil, and few chances worth the name. Rewa came to defend and left with exactly what they came for.
Player ratings5 Apr 2027
5.45 on the card. Some afternoons a footballer looks like a man who has only just been introduced to the game, and this was one of them.
From our football correspondent
Upbeat
Squad29 Mar 2027
Bones knit. That is the one merciful thing about this injury and the reason Nadi will talk about it more openly than they would about a knee. He will be back, and roughly when they say.
Squad29 Mar 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Nadi may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad29 Mar 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The terraces29 Mar 2027
The crowd has taken to Clivert Sam
At 22 he is being sung about by people twice his age, which is an affection a signing has to earn over years and a local kid gets for turning up. It is also the hardest thing in football to live up to.
Match27 Mar 2027
Three points for Nadi, 1‑0 the final word against Tailevu Naitasiri in a contest settled by the finer margins.
Squad29 Mar 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Vereti Dickson, and the manager let it.
Player ratings29 Mar 2027
Defensive actions: 19. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.
Player ratings29 Mar 2027
18 times he got in the way of something. Centre-halves get written about when they make mistakes and ignored when they do not, so an afternoon like this needs saying out loud: he is the reason the scoreline reads as it does.
Player ratings29 Mar 2027
Successful dribbles: 12. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad15 Feb 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Loan watch15 Feb 2027
“I watch every Nadi game from here. That says everything about where my head is.” The loan at Navua runs its course, but his heart never made the trip.
Squad15 Feb 2027
Clivert Sam has become a man the manager trusts
Nobody at Nadi will say this on the record and the team sheets have been saying it for weeks. There is a small group in every squad who get picked when the fixture is difficult, and he has joined it.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Market11 Jan 2027
Nadi say no — this time
The offer from Rewa for Christopher Kumar was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Squad11 Jan 2027
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad11 Jan 2027
It is never announced and it is entirely visible: the biggest afternoons of the season keep containing him. A press box works this out long before anybody at the club confirms a word of it.
Squad11 Jan 2027
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Jonasa Ravukitiliva keeps the shirt for now, at Nadi's convenience rather than his own.
Market11 Jan 2027
The name of Eneriko Matau keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Nadi say nothing, which says plenty.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad28 Dec 2026
Tempers go at Nadi
Christopher Kumar was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad28 Dec 2026
Mohammed Ayman falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad28 Dec 2026
It is never announced and it is entirely visible: the biggest afternoons of the season keep containing him. A press box works this out long before anybody at the club confirms a word of it.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Squad9 Nov 2026
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Vishant Reddy commits to Nadi for another 3 years.
Squad9 Nov 2026
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Nadi this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad9 Nov 2026
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.