CAPTION: Nadi’s Ilimotama Jese in action against Ba. Nadi won 1-0. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
By VIJNESH CHAND
The capital city side Suva edged Rewa 1-0 in a clash of the southerners match at Prince Charles Park in Nadi today.
Timely finish from Samuela Drudru saw Suva climb up the league ladder. Suva kept their momentum going as they were held goal less in the first half.
In the second spell, a beautiful struck shot by Drudru left the young Rewa goal keeper Epeli Lewaniceva standstill. The capital side had made tactical changes ahead of the encounter.
“We made some changes in the lineup and it worked well for us,”said Suva coach Gurjit Singh.
“It was a crucial win for us as it will boost the team morale ahead of the champion versus champion series next week,” he continued.
The Nigerian combination of Sanni Issa and Opara Jerry Lhima created havoc in Rewa defense forcing coach/player Marika Rodu to go into the field of play.
Rewa’s Iosefo Verevou was also a thorn when attacking the Suva goal causing keeper Timoci Ragata to make daring saves.
In the second electrifying encounter of the day Nadi recorded an upset win against the men in black – Ba.
In the first minute, Nadi caught Ba Keeper off guard and Rusiate Matairerega took advantage of it. He fired a powerful shot past Ba goal keeper Ratu Jone Gasaubalavu.
Ba struggled to find their rhythm in the game.
Nadi was reduced to ten players when Uraia Loki was sent off by referee Finau Volivoli for dangerous play close to fifteen minutes before time.
“This is my first win against Ba on home soil and I feel very proud of the performance of the boys,”said Nadi coach Kamal Swamy.
Today’s win gives Nadi an edge on the league leader after the third round of matches and the jetsetters now lead the national football League series followed closely by Ba and Suva.
To view more pictures of the Nadi versus Ba match, click here:-
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To view more pictures of the Suva versus Rewa match, click here:-
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The victorious Nadi side.