Wasasala, Verevou in doubt

Striker Christopher Wasasala is likely to make a return for the Suva side against Nadi in the semi-final of the 42nd Punjas Battle of the Giants at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday.

Wasasala, who limped off in the 1-1 draw against Labasa on day one, was ruled out for the rest of the pool games.

The capital city side is hopeful Wasasala and midfielder Iosefo Verevou will be given the green light.

Verevou, who has been facing issues with his left knee, has been rested for the last seven months. He is yet to play for Suva after his mid-season transfer from Rewa. Coach Maxwell Thaggard said: “Verevou and Wasasala are in doubt and we hope they can recover and fit to play.”

Suva is expected to utilise Ravinesh Karan Singh, Sahil Dave, Nickel Chand and Madhavan Goundar and import Patrick Taroga in the centre-back position.

“In Suva squad we have two sets of eleven, anyone that gets picked should perform,” added Thaggard.

Suva has featured eight times in the B.O.G finals since 1978 and won three times the last in 1995.

Ba move on without Waqa

The suspension of national rep and Ba striker Saula Waqa will not affect the team’s campaign in claiming their record 18th Punjas Battle of the Giants title this Sunday.

The 24-year-old was the captain of the side where he tested positive for banned substances after the first round of matches. He was subsequently suspended from all levels of football for three years by the Fiji Football Association.

Waqa had only featured in the first match where the Men in Black thrashed Nasinu 7-3 last Friday.

The side has to beat Rewa in the semi-final on Saturday and officials are still weighing the options for first choice goalkeeper Misiwane Narube who has been injured.

Team manager Ranveer Singh said: “We topped the pool and the tournament semi-final is a different game altogether.

“Likewise other teams who have qualified will come prepared. Suspension of Waqa should not affect the team.”