Blues equalise
SOLOMON Islander Benjamin Totori proved his worth scoring a late equaliser for defending champion Lautoka against Labasa in the opening round of the Courts Inter District Championship at Prince Charles Park in Nadi last night.
With only minutes away from the final whistle, Totori struck from close range to keep Lautoka’s hopes of a “three peat” in the IDC alive. They drew 1-all.
Ironically Totori only agreed to stay back for the prized tournament after successful negotiations with the Lautoka Football Association.
The last minute deal was struck with the star striker last weekend, and this proved to be fruitful for the Sugar City team.
Striker Siotame Kubu, once again, was the nemesis for Lautoka, scoring the opener for the Northerners in the 11th minute.
Lautoka toiled hard and this finally paid off when Totori’s strike went under the arms of Labasa goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva in the 88th minute.
Lautoka striker Samuela Drudru was sent off moments after the goal after picking up his second yellow card.
The Blues have won the IDC title back to back in 2017 and 2018 and are on a hat-trick trail.
Results: Ba defeated Tavua 2-0 while Nasinu upset Rewa 2-1. Today’s fixtures: 2pm Labasa-Tavua, 4pm Suva-Nasinu, 6pm NadiRewa, 8pm Lautoka-Ba.
FIJI football giants Ba aims to create history by winning the Courts Inter District Championship for a record 25th time.
Known as the ‘Men in Black,’ Ba defeated minnows Tavua 2-0 in the opening fixture of the 2019 IDC at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday.
Ba started its campaign on a high note with striker Sanaila Waqanicakau scoring the opener in the 12th minute.
Tavua, relegated to the senior division for the next season, showed glimpses of hope of drawing the fixture, however this was shattered when veteran Ba mid fielder Avinesh Waran Suwamy tapped the ball into the net in the 75th minute.
Ba team manager Arvind Singh said Tavua gave them a tough time.
Singh said the ground was heavy following the early morning rain.
“The first game is always tough and whenever we play with Tavua it is never easy,” Singh said.
“We are happy to get the three points.” Ba will face defending IDC champion Lautoka in the feature this evening.
Singh said they would take each game at a time.
He said stalwart Malakai Tiwa was the lone player on the casualty list.
“We will go game by game and will definetly come out stronger in the next encounter.
“We had many opportunities at goal but missed, so we have to sharpen our attack.”
Ba: Misiwani Nairube, Manasa Nawakula, Abbu Zahid, Shazil Ali, Ilimotama Jese, Kishan Sami, Malakai Rakula, Micah Tommy, Malakai Tiwa, Sanaila Waqanicakau, Praneel Naidu.
Tavua: Varinava Taletawa, Sumeet Goundar, Savenaca Adronu, Semi Vakatalai, Vilive Naulalevu, Atunaisa Livanalagi, Marika Rawasoi, Ratu Naliva, Manasa Drua, Mivileko Nakama, Josefata Neibuli.