‘Nadi Hungry For A Win’
We’ve never won the B.O.G for 21 years and a tournament in Lautoka for 81 years: Vereti Dickson
The Jack’s Nadi football side is hungry for a win when they take on a formidable Ba side in the semifinal of the 2018 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants semifinal at Churchill Park, Lautoka today.
The western giants clash at 4pm while Labasa play Suva in the first semifinal at 2pm.
Nadi captain Vereti Dickson said despite losing to Suva 2-1 in its last pool match last Sunday, the Green Machine has been one of the form teams.
“We are hungry for a win as this clash is very important for me as this is my seventh year playing for Nadi.
“And during my time we have not won the B.O.G for Nadi and to make it worst we have not won any BOG in the last 21 years.
“And on top of that we have not won any tournament in Lautoka in the last 81 years so we have a lot to play for and every reasons to win,”Dickson said.
Nadi has played in 10 finals since the tournament inception in 1978 but have won only five times (1978, 1980, 1983, 1986 and 1996) compared to Ba who has played in 23 B.O.G finals and won 16 times.
“Ba is a very good and tough to beat. We will stick to plan and make use of scoring opportunities. Ba plays one touch football and has a mix of young and old players in the team.
“We need to control the game and not play to Ba’s pace.”
The side will bank on veteran players Rusiate Matarerega, Napolioni Qasevakatini, Ilimotama Jese William Valentine, Josevata Dugucagi, Afraaz Ali, Ame Votoniu, Rahul Krishna and Rupeni Rabici to name a few.
The 39th B.O.G final is scheduled for 3pm at the same venue on Sunday.