Navua in danger after loss
LAUTOKA laboured to secure a hard-fought 3-1 win over Navua at Churchill Park, Lautoka in the second-last round of the 2020 Vodafone Premier League match on the weekend.
The win came at a cost, however, as the Anginesh Prasad-coached side had defender Sekove Finau red-carded in the last quarter of the match for an over-zealous challenge on young Thomas Dunn.
The hosts made a slow start and suffered an early scare when Navua's talented attacking midfielder, Manav Permal scored the opener with a blinder in the 32nd minute of the first half.
The Koromakawa Rentals and Tours-sponsored Navua football team led 1-0 at the breather.
The hosts equalised in the 48th minute from a header from an unmarked Jone Vono and extended its lead from an Aporosa Yada easy tapin the 58th minute, which was scored from a set piece move initiated by midfield maestro, Zibraaz Sahib.
National representative, Dave Radrigai made sure of the win when he coolly slotted in a penalty kick in the 78th minute, after striker, Samuela Gavo was brought down by Navua's goalkeeper, Josaia Ratu.
A dejected Koromakawa Rentals Navua football team's head coach, Mohammed Shafeel blamed the numerous missed scoring opportunities for the loss.
"Quite a disappointing result especially after we were leading in the first half," he said.
"We flunked so many scoring opportunities including a penalty kick and in a game of football, we can't miss those which clearly reflected on the final score.
"We will go back and address those mistakes and it's a bit of an advantage when we play at home against Nasinu.
"I have confidence in the boys to deliver a positive result next week."
Lautoka XI: 23. Viliame Tabucala (GK), 19. Epeli Rokotuva, 4. Kolinio Sivoki (C), 2. Sekove Finau, 5. Epeli Leiroti, 9. Raj Pillay, 7. Dave Radrigai, 3. Zibraaz Sahib, 11. Edward Aaron, 10. Samuela Gavo and 16. Jono Vono.
Navua XI: 22. Josaia Ratu (GK), 18. Mathew Charitar, 15. Vinal Prasad, 14. Brian Charitar, 10. Vinit Chand (C), 13. Mosese Baleinaqaqa, 12. Isake Naduvu, 6. Thomas Dunn, 9. Apisai Smith, 25. Suliano Masidoli and 11. Manav Permal.