Soccer: Fiji experience a giant reward

Matt Williams in action. Photo / Oceania Football

At some football tournaments, the prize for being golden boot is a prestigious one. It can come in the form of a magnificent trophy or financial rewards.

At last week's Battle of the Giants in Fiji, Adam Dickinson received a 'pamper pack' which included a box of tissue paper, some water, three bags of crisps and a tin of Milo.

The Auckland City striker collected the award for scoring six goals for runners-up Navua, he says he was robbed of a seventh when a referee incorrectly disallowed one for offside, which was all part of the experience of playing in Fiji's most famous tournament.

It was a little different to what he is used to - the 23-year-old hails from Liverpool - but defenders still tried to do what they do the world over.

"It's like anywhere," he says, "all the centre-halves want to kick you. Although I probably gave away the most fouls of the tournament - I'm all shoulders and elbows."

The Battle of the Giants started in 1978 and has been held annually except 1987, when restrictions on organised competitions on Sunday by the military government meant all football competitions in Fiji were abandoned.

It has developed a reputation for being hotly contested, both on and off the field, and Dickinson and Auckland City team-mate Matt Williams were instrumental in helping Navua into the final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Rewa.

The games came thick and fast. They played six games in seven days, and the semifinal and final on the same day.

"You play in front of really big crowds which you never get in New Zealand," says Williams, who fits football around his work as an interior designer.

"I have played in national league and O-League finals and you might get 3000.

We played the first game of the tournament over there and there were 14,000. It's a really uplifting vibe. It's like a proper fan base and the supporters really get behind their teams.

"There's definitely a bit of passion, both on and off the field. The refereeing isn't really the highest calibre so players tend to get away with a lot more than you would expect, especially against the white boys. They love to kick the white boys.

"I have never come back with an injury. You basically have to look after yourself and not go flying into a big challenge with a guy who is 1.9m and 110kg. You tend to get out of the way."

The pair threw themselves into the experience. Williams has now played in seven Battle of the Giants and used to venture there every year with Che Bunce. The former All Whites defender retired recently, which prompted Williams to recruit Dickinson as a replacement.

Both had their expenses paid, including flights and accommodation in a dorm with 20 others, but there were other rewards. They were treated like mini-celebrities, especially after Dickinson scored two goals against 14-time champions Ba, and both embraced the local customs.

"They are all very religious," Williams says. "They pray before and after every training session, before we get on the bus, after we get on the bus. They get us to sit in for their prayers. It's a total experience of Fijian culture.

"I enjoy the 10 days of playing there and enjoying their culture and playing good footy. It's definitely physical and you come back knackered but the experience is always worth it."