Blues Keep Fingers Crossed, Chase Third Title
The Anginesh Prasad coached Lautoka Blues team is keeping their fingers crossed as they chase their third title in the All In One Restaurant and Cakes
sponsored Pacific Community Cup 2022 now underway at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
The side came from behind to draw 1-1 draw with NZFFI All Stars in their opening match on Thursday night.
Jacob Mecnell opened the scoreboard
in just two minutes and the defending champions found their goal in the 20th minute through Manasa Nawakula.
“We saw beautiful football from both sides. The way Lautoka had developed a lot of chances, we were content with the draw,” Prasad said.
“We had talked to the boys as we are aiming for a three in a row. We will prepare for the next match and we have to win the game to qualify. He added the two remaining matches are against two Fiji champion sides. “We will play them, a win is priority and we are prepared.”
In the other matches so far, the Bavs Khan coached Suva team edged Labasa 2-1. Goals came from own goal by goalies Sailosi T and Azariah while Labasa’s goal came from Ashnil Raju.
Host Nadi edged Ba 2-1 with goals from Vuniuci Tikomaimereke (4), and Fordney Paomae (23) while Raj Pillay (50) scored for Ba.
AuFFI All Stars defeated the Gurjit Singh coached USA All Stars side 3-1 with goals from Leroy Jenning (17, 60) and Cameron Nairn (52). Cameron Kumar scored in the 34 th minute for Aussie.
All In One Restaurant and Cakes managing director Sulendra Raju said he will continue to support such initiative.
Nadi Special Administrator Lawrence Kumar said Nadi will continue to host big tournaments in the future praising Fiji FA for bringing the football fiesta once again.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf reiterated that Fiji FA will continue to partner with WOWKids in future events. He said that people have begun to donate to the worthy cause including AuFFI president Eswa Nadan who recently donated $500 Blues to bounce back.
Day three resumes today with the finals tomorrow.