FORMER Fiji football greats lambasted the Bula Boys following their embarrassing 7-0 defeat to New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand.
Ivor Evans, Sylvester Joseph, Stan Morrell, Dan Lutimailagi and Rapheal Tuilawa made their frustrations known by taking to social media platforms.
Evans said nothing is going to change unless changes are made at the top.
“I’m saying this because 20 to 30 years ago I said this same thing for Fiji to have a team in the A-League which the Fijian Drua is doing now, We would have been 20 to 30 years ahead of what Drua is doing now,” said Evans, who had a decade long illustrious professional football career with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“I guess it takes a ……Ben Ryan to suggest changes so rugby did, I guess I’m just a Fijian with no knowledge but played professional football, just my 50 cents.”
Sylvester Joseph, the former Suva, Nadi Rewa and Fiji national team footballer of the 70s, couldn’t agree more with Evans, and said ‘You said a mouthful’.
“Totally agree. I have been talking about this for 55 years all to deaf ears.”
Stan Morrel was in the team that beat the All Whites in a series win in Fiji in 1988 where Kevin Fallon’s Kiwis drew 1-1 with a stoppage-time equalizer in Suva, then lost 2-0 in Lautoka and 1-0 in 38-degree heat in Ba to a Fijian side coached by the legendary Billy Singh.
He was left disappointed with Friday night’s poor performance.
“The team had no strategy no purpose and no idea, it was painful to watch.Terrible,” said Morrel.
The double district Nadi and Rewa footballer later had a stint with Gisborne City, winning the Chatham Cup.
Dan Lutumailagi, Morrel’s linkman on the 88’ Fiji team said he was shocked at the 7-0 loss.
“I got shocked last night, that 7-0 loss is too much.”
“Maybe next few years they are going to give 70 goals.”
Lutumailagi said he and the late Pita Dau, the captain of the team, worked hard in containing the All Whites strikers.
“It was a very hard time, during that 3 test match at the National Stadium, Churchill Park and Govind Park.
“Isa where is Fiji soccer heading now? Vinaka Bula Boys for the picnic trip.”
Raphael Tuilawa, a member of Fiji’s historic 1-0 win over Australia in 1977 didn’t hold back from expressing his feelings.
“I thought 7-0, was a good score. I expected more, not forgetting that Fiji were up against professional players in New Zealand.”
“We as supporters shouldn’t expect more. If the officials are acting as amateurs the players will.
“There is no professionalism in the whole system.”
Tuilawa said if the officials are content on taking their pay and leaving the system as they are, nothing will change.
“We will forever be amateurs which is not good for the kids that want to come through in the future.”
The former Lautoka, Ba and Fiji national team footballer said football urgently needs a good clean-out to be competitive on the world stage.
“We don’t need Einstein (Albert) to figure that out,” said Tuilawa.
