Ifunaoa dedicates victory

LABASA’S Solomon Islands import Dennis Ifunaoa has dedicated his Inter District Championship (IDC) winning goal to all the supporters of the Babasiga Lions on Sunday night.

Ifunaoa, who has been playing for Labasa from last year, said scoring the goal and helping the team to win the IDC was something he would cherish forever.

“It’s a special feeling especially when you play in such a tough and competitive tournament like this. The atmosphere was electrifying the support of the fans was amazing,” he said.

“I have been following Fiji football from the time I was a kid. I used to follow players such as Batram Suri and Cummins Menapi when they were playing here. I feel very honoured and privileged to come and play here and to win a second tournament with Labasa definitely means a lot to me.”

The 27-year-old, who recently featured for the Solomon Islands national team in the Pacific Games in Samoa, said Fijian football was bit more physical and intense game.

“Here the players especially the defenders are very tall and physically built. Also there is so much passion in both the fans and the players and I feel good to be playing here and representing a team like Labasa which has some very skillful and good footballers. I can easily adjust to their style of football as they mostly play one touch.”

Describing the goal that he scored in the final, Ifunaoa said he had to make that run.

“When Akemi made that cross, I told myself I am going to go for it, and as soon as I got the ball, I turned around, waited, saw the goalmouth again and then took the shot, I put all my strength into that shot.

“When the game went into extra time, the coach told us not to waste any chance and take shots. I am happy I was able to make full use of that chance and score that goal which helped us to win,” he added.

Labasa defeated Suva 1-0 in the final to win its first IDC title on western soil.