Strikers hopeful of fiNDING rHytHM, reveals Pratap
The Labasa football players are aiming to improve on their goal scoring prowess ahead of this weekend’s Digicel Premier League clash against Suva.
The Babasiga Lions travel to the capital city to face the defending DPL champions on Sunday at the ANZ Stadium. The match kicks off at 3pm.
The Lions have failed to capitalise on their goal scoring opportunities and currently have the DPL lowest goal-scoring record.
Labasa coach, Ravneel Pratap said they have been consistently working hard during their training sessions in trying to improve on their goal scoring ability.
Labasa goalkeeper, Akuila Mateisuva, has joined Rewa striker Setareki Hughes at the top of the SUNsports Best and Fairest Player after round five of the Digicel Premier League competition.
Rewa 3-0 Nadroga 3 points:
Anish Khem (Rewa)Played well for the Delta Tigers. Very skilful striker who scored the first goal and had a hand in the other two goals.
2 points: Mohammed Alam (Rewa)- Plucky goalkeeper who made several superb saves to keep his goal mouth intact.
1 point: Bruce Hughes (Rewa)One of our upcoming strikers who toiled hard and never gave up
(Reporter: Salote Qalubau)
Lautoka 1-0 Suva 3:
Beniamino Mateinaqara (Lautoka)Organised his defenders well as they kept the Suva strikers at bay. He also made several saves that kept them in the game.
2: Sairusi Nalaubu (Lautoka)Scored their lone goal when he sped past the Suva defenders to slam the ball to the back of the net. He is settling in well and is still
Pratap said they were optimistic that the players would slowly find their rhythm as the season progressed.
He said a major part of any football team’s performance was assessed the country’s top striker at the moment.
1: Simione Nabenu (Suva)- A classy player who defended well and set up several counter attacks. (Reporter: Salote Qalubau)
Nadi 0-0 Labasa 3:
Lino Iliesa (Labasa)- This tough last man down defended well against four of Nadi’s best attacking players.
2: Napolioni Qasevakatini (Nadi)The Nadi captain led by example but was unfortunate not to score.
1: Akuila Mateisuva (Labasa)Combined well with Ilaisa as they kept the Nadi strikers at bay.
(Reporter: Mereleki Nai)
Navua 1-0 Ba 3:
Peceli Sukabula (Ba)- A player with a promising future and made his mark when he came in as a substitute.
2: Arami Manumanubai (Navua)A reliable defender who reads the game well
1: Matthew Charitar (Navua)- A tough man to get past and was always there hustling the Ba strikers. goals.
Labasa have seasoned campaigners like Anare Apenisa, Siotame Kubu, Marlon Tahioa, Taniela Waqa, and Ilisoni Lolaivalu. Pratap said they would take a cautious approach against Suva because they would try to bounce back following two consecutive losses.
He said defensively they would have to contain the Vanuatu combination of Alex Saniel and Azaria Soromon upfront in order to beat the Southern giants.
“We don’t have any major injuries in camp but Lino Iliesa will miss the match after accumulating two yellow cards,” Pratap added. by their
How they stand: 8
ability to score
Setareki Hughes (Rewa), Akuila Mateisuva (Labasa); 6- Beniamino Mateinaqara (Lautoka); 5- Tomasi Tuicakau (Nadroga), Ato Yankson (Nadroga), Thomas Dunn (Navua), Vereti Dickson (Nadi);
4- Osea Vakatalesau (Nadroga), Sakaraia Naisua (Nadi), Darold Kakasi (Ba), Dave Radrigai (Lautoka), Arami Manumanubai (Navua); 3- Saula Waqanicakau (Ba), Jibola Afonja (Nadroga, Shameel Rao (Ba), Senirusi Bokini (Rewa), Ilisoni Lolaivalu (Labasa), Anish Khem (Rewa), Sairusi Nalaubu (Lautoka), Lino Ilaisa (Labasa), Peceli Sukabula (Ba), Matthew Charitar (Navua); 2- Abbu Zahid (Ba), Rahul Krishna (Nadi), Remueru Tekiata (Suva), Savenaca Nakalevu (Ba), Tevita Waranaivalu (Rewa), Rahul Naresh (Nadroga), Zibraaz Sahib (Lautoka), Monit Chand (Navua), Shahil Dave (Suva), Mohammed Alam (Rewa), Napolioni Qasevakatini (Nadi); 1Ratu Anare (Labasa), Suliano Doli (Navua), Meli Codro (Suva), Etonia Dogalau (Ba). Marika Rawasoi (Lautoka), Waisake Navunigasau (Suva), Bruce Hughes (Rewa), Simione Nabenu (Suva).
(Compiled by Leone Cabenatabua)
Mateisuva joins Hughes at the top