After last week’s semi-finals that delivered multiple surprises, there is a lot to look forwards to in today’s Knock Out Cup Finals at CIFA Complex in Matavera, where 2021 Round Cup holders Nikao Sokattak will meet Tupapa Maraerenga in the premier men’s finals.

The archrivals will be meeting for the third consecutive year in the Knock Out Cup showpiece kicking off at 4.15pm.

Last year Nikao Sokattak won the title beating Tupapa Maraerenga by 2-1, but Tupapa walked away with the 2020 Round Cup Trophy. This year, Nikao had claimed the 2021 Round Cup title and the onus will be on Tupapa to steal the Knock Out Cup.

With the way both have played during the 2021 Rarotonga Football Season there is no question as to why these two teams are meeting again in the final. The two teams are stacked with experienced players and have a fair share of upcoming talented footballers.

Nikao Sokattak started the season off strong, triumphing in all encounters in the first round, but stumbled a bit when entering the first week of round two. The side suffered two losses in early round two before bringing back their A game in the final round, finishing in first place and taking home the Round Cup title.

Meanwhile, Tupapa Maraerenga got off to a slow start after going down against Nikao in the early stage of round one. The side slowly picked up their usual intense style of playing in the second round when they defeated Nikao 1-0.

In the crucial final round, Tupapa Maraerenga lost their tight grip on the Round Cup title, going down to Nikao.

Both teams have some exciting players, while Nikao has tough defender Nia Remuera, Tupapa will be led by Dave Milanovic who will be guarding their goalmouth.

In the midfields, Nikao will be led by Marc Leito while Tupapa’s Grover Harmon will orchestrate play for his side from the middle.

Upfront, Tupapa Maraerenga’s scoring machine Geoffrey Strickland, who scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals last week, will lead their campaign. Nikao also has their own goal poacher in their forward line up, Julius David, leading the forward packed with speed.

In the Senior Women’s Knock Out Cup final, the ladies in black Tupapa Maraerenga and the women from the west Puaikura meet again.

The 2021 Round Cup champions, the undefeated Tupapa Maraerenga will be wanting to end the season without a loss and a clean sweep but Puaikura will not be an easy match for them.

Today’s senior women’s match will bring fascinating elements of football and when it comes to overall dominance in the women’s game, fans will not find evenly matched teams than these two in the domestic competition.

• CIFA Media

Fixtures

CIFA complex, Matavera – 11.15am Under 15 Boys. Nikao Sokattak FC vs Avatiu FC (Ref: Robert Savage, Assist: Anzac Tapaitau, Kimberly Uini), 12.15pm Under 15 Girls. Puaikura FC vs Avatiu FC (Ref: Tahiri Elikana, Assist: Ua Savage, Merian Noovao), 1.15pm Under 18 Men. Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Ref: Tehainnah Tatuava, Assist: Junior Savage, Tione Nand), 2.40pm Senior Women. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Lai Gukisuva, Assist: Gideon Pouao, Poko Manuela), 4.15pm Premier Men. Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assist: John Pareanga, Tehainnah Tatuava)