Nadi upset FANCA champs
The Nadi Muslim football side caused the major upset of day one when they beat defending FANCA International Club Championship champs Brisbane 2-1 at Prince Charles Park, Nadi yesterday.
Nadi midfielder William Valentine scored twice which include a 30-metre stunner that caught Brisbane goalkeeper Mohammed Riyaz napping.
Brisbane struck back in the second spell though Shoheel Khan who set-up Abu Sillah to neatly tap the ball past Nadi goalkeeper Mohammed Moshif.
Then Valentine put Nadi back into the lead from a penalty kick to the delight of their fans.
Nadi coach Abdul Khan said it was their aim to win their pool opener. “We played according to our strength and as tournament host we had to make sure that we are on track. We hope for the best in the remainder of the tournament,” he said.
Brisbane kept their hopes alive when they hammered Lokia 8-0 in their second pool game. Brisbane coach Shanun Khan said, “We played with a couple of players missing as they came in the afternoon flight and that basically set our team for the evening.
“I give credit to Nadi who played a great game. They deserved the win this morning.
“We are playing Valelevu tomorrow and they are a good team so we can’t be complacent.
“We must perform to our ability and score goals to win and qualify to the playoffs.
“We got some young boys this time and they are playing well and gelling together and I remember these guys haven’t played together for ages.
“They have been playing their club matches which finished only two weeks ago and we didn’t get time for preparations. “I’ll be honest with you before we came we played only one match.” When his edition went to press last night Nadi was leading Valelevu 1-0 at half time.
OTHER RESULTS: Lautoka 2-2 Ba, Varavu 0-2 Drasa, Brisbane 1-2 Nadi, Otahuhu 2 – 0 Rewa, Makoi 0 – 0 Rarawai, Sydney Mulomulo 2 –1 Nasinu, Maigania 2–0 Suva, Lautoka 2–2 Drasa, Varavu 0 –0 Ba, Otahuhu 1– 1 Makoi, Rewa 0- 1 Rarawai, Brisbane 8 –0 Lokia.
WHAT’S ON TODAY
8.00pm- Lautoka v Varavu (g1); Ba v Drasa (g2)
9.15am- Maigania v Nasinu (g1); Sydney Mulomulo v Suva (g2)
10.30am- Brisbane v Valelevu (g1); Nadi v Lokia (g2)
Jumah Salaah Break 1.30pm- Otahuhu v Rarawai (g1); Makoi v Rewa (g2)
3.30pm- QF1 Winner Pool 1 v Runner Up Pool 3
4.45pm- QF 3 Winner Pool 3 v Runner Up Pool 1
Maghrib Salaah Break 6.30pm- Q2 Winner Pool 2 v Runner Up Pool 4
7.45pm- Q4 Winner Pool 4 v Runner Up Pool 2 Edited by Leone Cabenatabua