Unlucky Rewa
WHILE there is no doubt that the timing of the Rewa v Lautoka OFC Champions League qualification was absurd, kicking off at 3pm on a Thursday, I managed to watch the game via livestream.
Having said that, I can conclude that Rewa were the unlucky side in this fixture after the match ended 0-0, with the Reds having to regret their missed chances throughout the game.
I expected more from Lautoka, who have already played two high intensity games against Ba in the Champion v Champion series. However, it was Rewa who looked more dangerous, especially with their silky tiki-taka football.
Youngsters Josaia Sela and Epeli Valevou missed exquisite one-on-one chances which could have sealed the tie in the first leg in Nausori.
With scores at a stalemate and no away goal rule, both teams will have all to play for when they take the field at Lautoka’s Churchill Park on Sunday.
The key factor for Lautoka will be the heat, to which the western side is more accustomed to playing in.
Churchill Park has proved to be an unlucky ground for Rewa in recent years with defeats in the Fiji FACT Final in 2022 and further league setbacks at the venue, however, I am sure that they will work on their finishing and come out a different side when the dust settles on Sunday. RAYNAV CHAND
Nakasi
OFC Champions League
THE first round of the OFC Champions League National play-off between Rewa and Lautoka held at Ratu Cakobau Park on Thursday ended in a nil-all draw.
The two will meet again on Sunday at Churchill Park where obviously the crowd support will hugely be in favour of the home team. That said, it is to be noted that the Delta Tigers play a different ball game when it matters the most. They are among the teams who have won major battles fought outside their boundaries.
Fans will hope to see strikers putting on a better performance this time. Is it that the defence is so good that the strikers can’t penetrate through, or is it that the strike force lacks power?
Well the result will speak for itself come Sunday.
I think team Blues will come out the victors as they did at the CVC just days ago.
My best wishes to both the teams.
SURESH CHAND
Nadi
Tigers survive Blues challenge!
I salute the Tigers Lautoka side for playing gallantly against Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park on Thursday. Despite the 0-0 draw, the Blues hold the upper hand, as they will be hosting the Tigers at Churchill Park tomorrow.
The Blues played backto-back tough matches against the Men in Black and won the Pillay Garments Champion versus Champion series and within four days they faced an in-form Rewa side but played their hearts out. Both sides missed numerous scoring opportunities-something that has characterised Fiji soccer. Our strikers seem to be off-target and miss simple goal scoring chances.
The winner will represent Fiji in the OFC Champions League and I urge both sides to prepare well. Suva, which represented Fiji last, did wonders and the Whites were unlucky to lose against Auckland City 4-2 in the final in May last year. Locked 2-all at full-time, City struck in the 107th minute into extra time to win and seal their place in the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Down 2-0, Suva made an incredible comeback, but City proved too strong, winning their 11th OFC Champions League title.
Thus, Suva’s shot at creating history was dashed by Auckland, but provided valuable lessons to Fiji soccer. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu