South, West Battle

Suva, Rewa will face Nadi, Ba in knockout round

The Marika Rodu coached- Rewa side has joined Nadi as the semifinal qualifiers from Group B. The Delta Tigers bounced back to thrash Navua 3-0 yesterday in their final group match of the Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament.

What happened: School teacher Anish Khem scored the first goal for Rewa with a pile drive outside the box in the 23rd minute which caught Navua goalkeeper Meli Bavatu off guard. In the 40th minute, 18-year-old Junior Sela increased Rewa’s lead after he dribbled past Seveci Rokotakala and Sekove Naivakananumi to slot in the second goal.

Halftime: Rewa 2–0 Navua. Rewa did not waste any time in the second half to cement their win when midfielder turned striker Tevita Waranaivalu rifled in their third goal in the 68th minute.

Star turn: Sela’s second goal took the fight out of Navua.

Comments: Rewa coach Marika Rodu said: “We knew we would play in the heat.

“Navua had played two tough games in the sun and we know their body was tight and their concentration would be low. “We worked on their mental and they were not able to attack as we scored easy goals.” Navua captain Vineet Chand said: “We came here to build a formidable side for the Vodafone Premier League.”

Results

Day One: Nadi 4-1 Navua, Suva 1-1 Labasa, Ba 7-3 Nasinu, Lautoka 2-3 Rewa.

Day Two: Suva 1-3 Nasinu, Lautoka 1-3 Navua, Ba 1-1 Labasa, Nadi 1-0 Rewa.

Day Three: Labasa 1-1 Nasinu, Rewa 3-0 Navua, Ba 0-1 Suva, Lautoka v Nadi, the game was still played when this edition went to press.

Goal Scorers

3- Marlon Tahioa (Nasinu), Jasnit Vikash (Nasinu)

2- Joshua Tawake (Nadi), Abbu Zahid (Ba), Setareki Hughes (Rewa), Samuela Drudru (Ba), Kolinio Sivoki (Lautoka)

1-Vineet Chand (Navua), Avinesh Waran Suwamy (Nadi), Patrick Taroga (Suva), Taniela Waqa (Labasa), Saula Waqa (Ba), Saula Waqanicakau (Ba), Sumeet Goundar (Ba), Darold Kakasi (Ba), Netani Doli (Lautoka), Malakai Rakula (Lautoka), Luke Savu (Nasinu), Ravinesh Karan Singh (Suva), Seveci Rokotakala (Navua), Thomas Dunn (Navua), Ilisoni Logaivau (Labasa), Apisai Smith (Navua), Afraz Ali (Nadi), Ilisoni Lolaivalu (Labasa), Anish Khem (Rewa), Junior Sela (Rewa), Tevita Waranaivalu (Rewa). Sairusi Nalaubu (Suva).

Own Goal: Rusiate Amasio (Navua).

Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA Suva’s Simione Nabenu saves a goal attempt by Ba during pool play in the Punjas Battle of the Giants football tournament at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on August 9, 2020. Suva won 1-0.

Photo: Waisea Nasokia Rewa striker Setareki Hughes (right) in control as Navua defender Mosese Vonovono closes in during the Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament at Churchill Park, Lautoka on August 9,2020.