DEFENDING men's and women's champions, Suva One are on track to retain the MH Fiji Open Hockey titles at the National Hockey Centre in Laucala today.
The teams remained unbeaten in the pool play yesterday and head into the final stages of the three-day tournament as the firm favourites.
The Suva One women's side thrashed Nadi 6-0 in its opening match before beating Australian Fiji 2-0, Suva II 3-0 and Lautoka 9-0.
The men's side started their campaign with a 5-0 win over Nadi followed by a similar win over Lautoka.
Tournament organiser Milli Smith said the capital city side had the advantage of the artificial turf.
She said the western teams were still playing on grass and they struggled on the artificial turf.
Suva also has majority of national reps in their teams.
"Also in terms of stronger league competitions, Suva has bigger associations which results in more competitive club games, therefore more skillful players," Smith added.
Smith said the visiting Australian Fiji would be a threat to the Suva One side in the women's grade.
She said the match between the two teams yesterday was quite close despite Suva One winning by 2-0.
"They look a good side and will definitely give Suva One a good challenge in the final stages," Smith said.
"In the men's grade, the top four which will make the semis will be strong."
Meanwhile in the under-16 grade, Suva has already booked its place in the final and will await the winner from Ba and Lautoka match today.
Results
Australian Fiji HA 2 Suva 2 1 (W), Suva 1 6 Nadi 0 (W), Suva 1 5 Nadi 0 (M),
Suva 1 2 Australian Fiji HA 0 (W), Lautoka 0 Nadi 1 (W), Suva 1 3 Suva 2 0 (W), Lautoka U16 0 Suva U16 0 (B), Nadi 1 Lautoka 1 (M), Suva 1 9 Lautoka 0 (W), Australian Fijians 3 Nadi 1 (W), Suva 2 0 Ba 0 (M), Suva U16 5 Ba U16 0 (B), Suva 1 5 Lautoka 0 (M)