Labasa closer to relegation, coach calls for support
The Labasa football team are in the danger zone of being relegated to the Senior Division after they went down 2-1 to Navua on Saturday night.
Dubbed the Babasiga Lions, coach, Ronil Lal, said the players and officials must get their act together and work much hader.
“It’s not about complaining,” he said.
“It is all about acting on how to solve the complaint with possible solutions that will help us as a team move forward.
“That is what we must do. I think we will try to rectify come back stronger.”
What happened: Both teams started cautiously but Navua settled down first and began attacking the Labasa goalmouth.
The northerners struggled to keep up with the hosts, who were used to the ground condition, at the Uprising Fiji Beach Resort ground in Pacific Harbour, Deuba.
In the 12th minute Navua drew first blood when Thomas Dunn slotted in their opening goal.
This made matters worse for the visitors as they had to play a catch up game. Both teams had goal scoring opportunities but their strikers were off target. things and
Halftime: Navua 1-0 Labasa
After a strong pep talk from the coach, Lal, the visitors came out firing in the second spell. In the 70th minute veteran Taniela Waqa, scored the equaliser.
The Navua defenders were able to hold the Labasa strikers at bay. As the match was heading for a draw, things changed in the 89th minute when Manav Permal kicked in the Navua’s winning goal. Comment: Labasa coach Lal said: “We are second last on the Vodafone Premiere League table. I believe the problem is the team’s commitment and discipline, we need to step up. “Performance wise we are not playing badly but we are losing.
“We need to find out why are we losing?
“We are on the same points with Navua but above them in points difference so it’s hard for fans to digest that. That’s life and that’s football. “To the fans out there if you are talking from outside, please do come and ask the team during training. Come see it for yourself and try to help the players.”
Line-up Navua:
Josaia Ratu, Seveci Rokotakala, Thomas Dunn, Monit Chand, Alfred Ali, Vineet Chand, Isake Naduvu, Mosese Balenagaga, Vinal Parasad, Matthew Charitar, Apisai Smith.
Reserves: Suliano Masi, Simione Damuni, Dorsant Naidu, Mannav Permal, Jesoni Takala, Sharad Kumar, Mohammed Shaheer, Simione Maikali, Ifraaz Hussain.
Labasa: Mohammed Alam, Sitiveni Rakai, Vikranth Chandra, Taniela Rakariva, Ilaisa Nayasi, Ashnil Raju, Apenisa Anare, Akeimi Ralulu, Ilisoni Logaivau, Lino Iliesa, Taniela Waqa.
Reserves: Akuila Mateisuva, Kirtesh Prasad, Melvin Mani, Nemani Dolodai, Rajiv Sharma, Siotame Kubu.