FORMER Fiji international footballers made a staunch defence of New Zealand football after Fijian commentator Raymond Stoddart called it substandard.
Stoddart was all riled up about the Bula Boys hit-outs against Eastern Suburbs, Auckland United, and Wellington Phoenix’s reserves, a selection of New Zealand-based players, and Thomas Dunn and Sterling Vasconcellous playing for Eastern Suburbs.
Miffed are Osea Vakatalesau and Poasa Tubuna who took social media to call out Stoddart to get the facts right.
“Raymond Stoddart get your facts right before you say something about New Zealand leagues,” said Vakatalesau, the treble district, Ba, Lautoka and Nadroga star of the 90s-2000, who relocated to New Zealand.
“We have the Northern League, Southern League and Central League, top teams from this league play in the New Zealand League, Eastern Suburbs is not a bad team for those (two players) Thomas Dunn and Sterling Vasconcellous.
“The team is not bad for the two to come and play for.
“Get your facts right the league in New Zealand is much better than the league in Fiji, that’s why they win the O-League most of the time,” he said
Stoddart made claims on Football Hungama, an FBC TV, show with host Ifran Khan had former footballers, administrators and fans voice their outrage.
Stoddart said Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United play in the Northern League, which was inferior to Fiji’s standard.
“We need to play teams that play top level.
“We need to play strong teams, like the Premier League. You need quality teams to get tested.
“New Zealand players are not up to the standard of Fiji soccer, the players there play 60-minute soccer and they are included in the national team, is it favouritism.”
He was also disdainful towards James Hoyt’s selection in the national team.
“We have better players in Fiji, like Sitiveni Cabuilagi, maybe he’s got discipline problems, but he is not in the team, he’s much better than James Hoyt, 100 percent, just to give you an example,” Stoddart said.
Hoyt is a New Zealand-based footballer who has represented Lautoka, Ba, and Nadi and is a member of Rewa’s 2025 OFC Champions League.
Rewa football released a statement on its official Facebook page.
“Our very own James, a dedicated Rewa FC player preparing for the OFC Champions League, was named and shamed on national television without being present to defend himself. Criticism is part of the game, but publicly demeaning a player is neither professional nor respectful-especially one who is working tirelessly to represent our club and Fiji on the biggest stage in Oceania.
“This moment will only fuel James’ determination to prove his worth at the highest level. We stand by him and all our players as they prepare for battle.”
Poasa Tubuna, the Lautoka and Fiji’s star footballer of the 1980s said to single out Hoyt is wrong.
“Raymond Stoddart is wrong in my opinion. Hoyt played at the highest level in New Zealand.”
“Those of us who have played in the National League, Northern Premier League and Division 1 in New Zealand have experienced how tough and challenging to be able to play and compete in these divisions.
“And we improved our game as a player. With a higher level of coaching, pace and intensity of training and games,” said Tubuna.
Tubuna said he will watch Friday night’s semifinal game between Fiji and New Zealand in Wellington.
“It remains to be seen the consistency and performance of a player during 90 minutes of a football match.
“I’m going to be watching and observing come Friday, the difference between a player who plays his football in New Zealand and the ones from Fiji.”
Fiji Football Association Operations General Manager Anushil Kumar said exhibition games and the selection of the team are all management-related and planned.
“Head coach Rob Sherman is the best person to answer questions on trials and selection of the team.”
