REWA'S JOY
Bruce Hughes (9) of Rewa celebrates with his teammates after he scored the winning goal against their Southern rivals Suva in the Punjas Battle of the Giants football tournament final at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. Rewa won 1-0. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Rewa striker Bruce Hughes dedicated his winning goal against Suva at the Punjas Battle of the Giants final yesterday to his injured team-mate Josaia Junior Sela.
Hughes place kick in the 44th minute caught Suva goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara napping.
“We dedicate this win to our small brother Junior Sela who broke his leg in the semi-final against Ba,”
Hughes said.
The 18-year-old Sela fractured his leg while scoring the first goal against Ba as they went on to win 8-7 on penalty shootouts.
Rewa coach Marika Rodu said the $17,000 prizemoney will be equally shared by the team.
What happened: Rewa started strongly and went into attack trying to score the first goal.
The Suva defenders worked overtime in trying to hold the Rewa attackers at bay.
In the 44th minute it was Hughes that slammed in their lone goal.
Leading 1-0 Rewa pulled all theirplayers back leaving Setareki Hughes as their lone striker.
Halftime: Rewa 1-0 Suva.
Suva came back firing but the
Rewa defence stood tall.
Suva brought in striker Iosefo Verevou who time and again found gaps in the defence but defender Peniame Drova saved those anxious moments.
Comment: Suva coach Babs Khan said: “We had a lot of opportunities in the second half but we could not score. It wasn’t our day. We had Iosefo Verevou coming off the bench and his touches were amazing.”
Line-Up
Rewa: Sairusi Bokini, Peniame Drova, Inoke Turagalailai, Parick Joseph, Mohammed Khan, Anish Khem, Setareki Hughes, Bruce Hughes, Gabirieli Matanisiga, Tevita Waranaivalu, Kavaia Rawaqa.
Suva: Beniamino Mateinaqara, Meli Codro, Simione Nabenu, Remueru
Tekiate, Kelvin Naidu, Christopher Wasasala, Ravinesh Karan Singh, Joeli Ranitu, Sairusi Nalaubu, Filipe Baravilala, Laisenia Naioko
Other awards ■Go●de■ Glove: Isikeli Seva Jnr
(Ba)
■Fair Play Team: Nadi ■P●ayer of the Tournament: Setareki Hughes (Rewa) Edited by Leone Cabenatabua