Upset at Uprising, Navua improve standing

Navua kept their hopes of keeping their spot in the Digicel Premier League when they upset points table leaders Ba 1-0 at the Uprising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbour, Deuba, yesterday.

The win also saw the hosts break an 11-year winless jinx against Ba in the national league.

Veteran striker Apisai Smith was the toast of the Navua side when he slammed in the lone goal in the 89th minute.

Speaking to SUNports, jubilant Navua coach, Amit Prakash, said they needed the win to move up on the points table.

“The boys believed in each other and that gave us the win,” he said. “The team worked really hard as we focused on our attack. It’s a sweet victory for us.”

Ba coach Kamal Swamy said he had to reshuffle the team due to injuries.

“We had to regroup and get some midfielders into the team. Now, we’ll go back and analyse our game and come back stronger.”

What happened: Ba started strongly and attacked Navua’s goalmouth with three attempts in first four minutes.

Navua settled down and started to attack the Ba defence with Monit Chand missing a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Tevita Koroi in the 7th minute.

Ba was awarded a freekick in the 18th minute but Narend Rao missed from close range.

But it was Netani Doli who had the best opportunity to give Navua the lead but failed to score with an open goal mouth.

Halftime: Navua 0-0 Ba

Navua came out firing in the second half changing their formation from 4-4-2 to 5-3-2.

Taniela Rakariva took a 30m shot that was saved by Koroi in the 48th minute. Navua took five shots at goal in a space of three minutes. Smith came in and had an impact upfront before slotting in the winning goal.

Line-up Navua

Kirtesh

Jayshneel Prasad, Jasnit

Shivam, Vikash,

Monit Chand, Arami Manumanubai, Vineet Chand, Netani Doli, Isake Naduvu, Taniela Rakaria, Vinal Prasad, Matthew Charitar Ba- Tevita Koroi, Nabeel Begg, Shameel Rao, Aakash Sharma, Darold Kakasi, Savenaca Nakalevu, Kalaveti Sivoi, Samuela Drudru, Etonia Dogalau, Narend Rao, Jonetani Newa

Match officials: Referee- Neeshil Varman; AR1- Mohammed Altaf, AR2- Krishneel Chand.

Photo: Leon Lord Navua midfielder Monit Chand controls the ball as young Ba striker Nabil Begg puts on the pressure while Navua defender Arami Manumanubai (right) looks on during the Digicel Premier League clash at Uprising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbour, Deuba, on April 11, 2021. Navua won 1-0.