Pearls target 13th spot
FFijian Pearls Vakaoca Bolakoro defends against Sri Lanka in Liverpool, England on July 18, 2019. Photo: WNC
iji beat Sri Lanka 59-44 to set up a repeat of one of the most dramatic games of the tournament so far: they will now play Samoa for the right to finish 13th, having lost out to them by a single goal earlier on in the competition. Fiji – through Goal Shooter (GS) Lydia Panapasa – thought they had levelled proceedings up in the final seconds on that occasion, but the goal was adjudged to have been scored just too late to count, meaning that Samoa took a 55-54 victory.
“There are always thoughts of revenge– we want to win,” said Pearls head coach Vicki Wilson, after her team’s victory over Sri Lanka.
“To be the best team in that Oceania region– apart from New Zealand– is something we’ve been wanting and been talking about, so if we can achieve that it would be great.
“A day’s rest and a good recovery is what we need now, and then we look forward to having that opportunity to battle it out with Samoa again.”
The 59-44 victory was Fiji’s second in the tournament after their win over Singapore on Tuesday and Wilson is delighted with the way her team have grown into their task.
She added: “I’m really pleased. We’ve been getting better with every game, which was what we came in wanting achieve. “I thought defensively today we got a lot more ball, and that put us in a great position going into that second half.”
On the injuries suffered by Panapasa and Episake Kahatoka, Wilson added: “I haven’t spoken to the medical team yet, so fingers crossed they’re not too serious.” Edited by Sheldon Chanel
The Lautoka football side are the biggest losers in the recent Transfer Window after six of their key players have moved to other districts.
This was confirmed by the Fiji Football Association transfer list that was posted on their website yesterday.
Acting Lautoka Football Association president Rakesh Kumar told Fiji FA Media that they are banking on their ‘home grown players.’
“We are not going to recruit players from other districts as we have abundance of talents in Lautoka who were never given a chance to don the Blues jumper,” he said.
From the list, the Rewa Football Association has attracted of players as they try to avoid being relegated from the Vodafone Premier League. Suva Football have recruited a player from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Transfer list: Afraz Ali: Lautoka to Nadi, Hussain Khan: Tavua – Nadi, Samuela Drudru: Lautoka – Nadi, Senirusi Bokini: Lautoka – Ba, Sairusi Nalaubu: Lautoka – Suva, Aakash Sharma: Rewa – Suva, Joeli Ranitu: Nasinu – Suva, Jovilisi Borosi: Rewa – Suva, Waisake Tabucava: New Zealand – Nadi, Marlon Tahioa Nonone: Solomons- Suva, Joela Biuvanua: Nasinu- Rewa, Savenaca Balaidrokadroka: Nasinu –Rewa, Kavaia Rawaqa: Lautoka – Rewa,
Dave Radrigai: Lautoka – Rewa, Mitieli Namuka: Rewa – Nasinu, Kalisto Veikoka: Lami – Nasinu, Josaia Ratu: Ba- Nasinu, Viliame Sivo: Navua – Nasinu, Epeli B Valevou: Rewa – Nasinu, Robert Nair: RakirakiNasinu, Jona Matakorovatu: Nadroga – Nadi, Florian Sam: Vanuatu – Suva, Turendran Kumar: RewaNasinu, Atonio Tuivuna: Labasa – Ba, Praneel Naidu: Lautoka – Ba, Poasa Bainivalu: Lautoka – Rewa, Sailosi Rayagona: Nadi – Rewa, Don Divesh Raj: Suva – Lautoka, Dev Divesh Raj: Nadroga – Lautoka, Mannav Permal: Navua – Suva, Petero Tamaniabo Namoce: Suva – Lami, Shaneel Naidu: Nadroga – Navua, Mohammed Naizal: Nasinu- Rewa, Ashwin Atish Chand: Nasinu – Rewa, Vilikesa Sowani: Dreketi- Labasa
Edited by Sheldon Chanel