Simran Chand 
Saula Waqa stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick as Lautoka FC defeated NZFFI Manukau All Stars 4-2 in their opening group A match of the Flick Hygiene Pacific Community Cup at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
Waqa opened the scoring early, calmly converting a chance to give Lautoka the lead.
He doubled his tally with a perfectly timed header from a brilliant cross, showcasing his aerial dominance.
Sakaraia Naisua added Lautoka’s third goal with a clinical header off a free kick, further cementing their control.
Manukau All Stars attempted a fightback as Grabhan Coughlan capitalized on a rebound after the Lautoka keeper saved the initial shot but couldn’t deny the follow-up, cutting the deficit before halftime.
In the second half, Aporosa Yada delivered a pinpoint pass into the box, allowing Waqa to complete his hat-trick with a composed left-footed strike.
Coughlan managed to add a second for Manukau late in the match, but the Lautoka’s tally was too large to overcome.
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUP A | ||||||||
| LAUTOKA | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 |
| MANUKAU ALLSTARS | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 |
| NAVUA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
| AUSTRALIA ALLSTARS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 3 |
| GROUP B | ||||||||
| USA ALLSTARS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
| AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| LABASA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
| REWA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| DATE & DAY | TIME | TEAM 1 | SCORE | TEAM 2 | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Churchill Park | ||||
| 28 Nov - Thursday | 4:30PM | LABASA | 1 - 1 | USA ALLSTARS | Group B |
| 28 Nov - Thursday | 5:45PM | Official Opening | |||
| 28 Nov - Thursday | 6:15PM | AUSTRALIA ALLSTARS | 2 - 1 | NAVUA | Group A |
| 28 Nov - Thursday | 7:30PM | REWA | 1 -2 | AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | Group B |
| 28 Nov - Thursday | 8:45PM | LAUTOKA | 4 - 2 | MANUKAU ALLSTARS | Group A |
| DAY 2 | Churchill Park | ||||
| 29 Nov - Friday | 4:30PM | AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | 0 - 1 | USA ALLSTARS | Group B |
| 29 Nov - Friday | 5:45PM | LABASA | 1 - 0 | REWA | Group B |
| 29 Nov - Friday | 7:00PM | AUSTRALIA ALLSTARS | 2 - 3 | MANUKAU ALLSTARS | Group A |
| 29 Nov - Friday | 8:15PM | LAUTOKA | 0 - 1 | NAVUA | Group A |
| DAY 3 | Churchill Park | ||||
| 30 Nov - Saturday | 3:00PM | REWA | 0 - 1 | USA ALLSTARS | Group B |
| 30 Nov - Saturday | 4:15PM | NAVUA | 1 - 3 | MANUKAU ALLSTARS | Group A |
| 30 Nov - Saturday | 5:30PM | LABASA | 1 - 3 | AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | Group B |
| 30 Nov - Saturday | 6:45PM | LAUTOKA | 4 - 1 | AUSTRALIA ALLSTARS | Group A |
| DAY 4 | Churchill Park | ||||
| 01 Dec - Sunday | 9:00AM | LAUTOKA | 0 - 2 | AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | Semi-final 1 |
| 01 Dec - Sunday | 10:30AM | USA ALLSTARS | 0 - 2 | MANUKAU ALLSTARS | Semi-final 2 |
| 01 Dec - Sunday | 3:00PM | AUCKLAND ALLSTARS | - | MANUKAU ALLSTARS | FINAL |
