GOOD SEND-OFF
The Poasa Bainivalu captained Lautoka football side will not rest on their laurels when they head into the pool games of the Oceania Football Champions League this week. Lautoka coach Anand Sami said they would not be carried away by their massive 6-0 victory against Jack’s Nadi in the Vodafone Premier League at the Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.
“Yes it’s a good send off. We are prepared for the O-League,” Mr Sami said.
The win also helped them maintain their top position in the League standing.
“In the OFC League it will be different, they are prepared professionally where to win the ball and where to press tactically,” Sami said.
“Nadi unfortunately lost one player and they went down. We had medium pressure but from time I told them to keep on attacking.”
Nadi coach Kamal Swamy said: “Our team lacked fitness as some players missed training. I have been telling them they cannot cope with Lautoka if that is their attitude.
“We need to work on our fitness and we need to work with our game. The new players played well but our key players failed to function.”
EARLY LEAD
The Blues took the lead with a penalty after defender Josua Tawake handled the ball in the box. Dave Radrigai scored from the penalty spot.
In the 48th minute Alex Saniel toed the ball past goalie Vereti Dickson.
The Blues had the service of Samuela Gavo, Shivam Naidu, Zibraaz
Shahib, Joela Bauivanua, Arami Manumanubai and nippy Edward Justin made his return since the Battle of the Giants last year due to suspension.
Halftime: Lautoka 2–0 Nadi.
Nadi suffered a blow when they were reduced to 10-man after defender Josua Tawake was flashed his second yellow card of the match. Tawake had again fouled Saniel.
Navneel Nand extended the Blues lead to 3-0 with a well place kick. Mohammed Shazil was the man of the moment after he scored a hat-trick in 62nd, 71st and 83rd minute respectively.
NO ANSWER
Nadi with reps like striker Rusiate Matererega, Napolioni Qasevakatini, Afraaz Ali, Vuniuni Tikomaimereke, Ashneel Kumar while Avinesh Warran Suwamy, Sakaraia Naisua simply had no answer. Lautoka depart for Vanuatu on Wednesday.
The side are in Pool B alongside Malampa Revivors, (Vanuatu), Lae City (Papua New Guinea), Henderson Eels (Solomons Islands).