Labasa upset Rewa at home
Veteran Labasa defender turned striker Taniela Waqa (right) in an aerial contest with Rewa’s Tevita Waranaivalu and Kavaia Rawaqa during their Vodafone Premier League clash at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, on September 20,2020. Despite Labasa winning 2-1, Rewa still lead the VPL points table.
Afired-up Labasa side handed Rewa a 2-1 defeat in their Vodafone Premier League clash at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, yesterday. Labasa coach Ronil Lal said, the players stuck to the game plan they had set on how to counter Rewa.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” he said.
“We scored two goals from our set pieces but we still need to work on our finishing.”
The return of veteran goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva boosted the Northerners as he directed play from the back.
What happened: Both teams were cautious as they tested each other out.
Halftime: Rewa 0-0 Labasa.
The visitors came out strongly and began to put pressure on the Rewa defence.
Veteran Taniela Waqa played upfront where he superbly combined with Siotame Kubu Ilisoni Logaivau.
In the 50th minute a corner kick from Ashnil Raju saw Ilisoni Lolaivalu slam in Labasa’s first goal. and
Rewa equalised in the 66th minute from a Gabriele Matanisiga drive.
Labasa kept playing attacking football as Lolaivalu slotted in his second goal later in the game.
Line-up Rewa;
Simione Tamanisau, Peniame Drova, Inoke Turagalailai, Patrick Joseph, Mohammed Khan, Anish Khem, Setareki Hughes, Bruce Hughes, Gabrieli Matanisiga, Tevita Waranaivalu, Kavaia Rawaqa.
Labasa: Akuila Matererega, Melvin Mani, Atonio Tuivuna, Vikranth Chandra, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Ashnil Raju, Ilisoni Logaivau, Taniela Rakariva, Lino Iliesa, Taniela Waqa, Siotame Kubu.