Defender suspended for dangerous
Defending Vodafone Fiji FACT champions Rewa suffered a setback in their campaign when they were held to a scoreless draw by Dreketi at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori yesterday.
A disappointed Rewa coach Marika Rodu told SUNsports that indiscipline stopped them from getting the result they had wanted. “I’m not happy as we need to work on many areas of our play,” he said. Dreketi led by tough defender Akeimi Ralulu started strongly and disrupted Rewa’s game as they set the pace right from opening whistle. Playing under immense pressure Rewa had to play with 10-men after defender Josateki Tamudu
Tough Labasa defender Ilisoni Logaivau copped a one-match suspension and had to miss their second pool game against Ba at the Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament last night. However, Logaivau is cleared to play in today’s clash against Rewa at 5pm.
The decision was made following a Fiji Football Association’s board of control meeting early yesterday.
In a statement Fiji FA stated: “The Fiji FA board of control after viewing the video of the match between Dreketi and Labasa in the Vodafone Fiji FACT 2018 Day 1 match on 25/02/18 and taking into consideration the video assessment and views from the referee director and referees assessor. “It was discovered that Labasa Player No. 15 namely Ilisoni Logaivau brutally tackled Dreketi player namely No. 12 namely Akeimi Ralulu which was not picked up by referee Adriu Naisoroki. copped a red card for dangerous play.
Rewa led by striker Iosefo Verevou fought hard trying to score the winning goal but Dreketi goalkeeper Petero Tamaniyabo made crucial saves to deny them.
Rewa dubbed the Delta Tigers by their diehard fans take on rivals Labasa, today at 5pm, in what is billed to be a cracker as to determine Group A’s qualifiers to the semifinals.
When approached Dreketi coach/ player Thomas Vulivuli said the players stuck to their game plan and never got distracted when Rewa fought back.
“I saw how Rewa beat Ba on the first day so I planned a formation to disrupt their game and it worked for us. We also had scoring opportunities but we did not capitalise on it.
“After carefully considering the seriousness of the foul which could have seriously injured the player and in accordance to Article 77 of FIFA Disciplinary Code (which Fiji FA incorporates in its operations to manage the disciplinary aspects in Fiji FA) Fiji FA Board and the organising committee of the Vodafone Fiji FACT 2018 decided that the player is suspended for the next match in the Vodafone Fiji FACT 2018.”
Logaivou was also fined $81.75 for the foul which was not picked up by the match referee.
REFEREE TO BE DISCIPLINED
In the release Fiji FA said: “Furthermore it was also agreed that referee made a blatant error by not recognising the incident and continuing with the match before seeing the incident. Almost after a minute into play from the incident which could have resulted in serious injuries be disciplined.”