Northland beats Tavua after 9 years
THE Northland Tailevu team created a major upset in the Digicel Senior League after defeating Tavua 2-1 at Garvey Park in Tavua last Sunday.
The Kritesh Prasad-coached side had reasons to celebrate as they came from behind to win against an experience Tavua side after nine years.
Prasad said it was a sweet victory for the team.
“It’s a very sweet victory because it took us nine years to beat Tavua in the national league,” said Prasad
“Hats off to my young brigadiers,” the former Northland Tailevu rep said after his team improving game by game.
“We had a shaky start when we lost to Tailevu Naitasiri 2-0 in the opener but the boys regrouped and showed consistency winning two straight matches beating Lami and Tavua,” said Prasad
“We have a very young team and most of our players are from the youth team. The development seeds which I planted years ago is giving me the fruits and now we enjoying in the senior level,” said an elated Prasad.
The Korovou dairy farmer said he was stunned with the performance of his boys.
“They really gave everything in the game. Tavua was a very experienced side and they had experience players compared with us that is why the win is a very special one for us,” said Prasad.
He said they would now focus on their match against Rakiraki this weekend.
“We will go back to the drawing board and iron out our mistakes and prepare well for Rakiraki which is also a good team and are undefeated,” said Prasad.
In the match proper Tavua took the lead in the 30th minute with a goal from striker Ratu Dau but Northland Tailevu came up with more tempo in the second half.
Sixteen-year old Mohammed Fardeen was introduced in the match in the 60th minute replacing Ayush Raj. The uprising striker got the equaliser in the 77th minute with powerful header which stunned the Tavua camp.
Hardworking midfielder Simione Saqatanamua headed the winning goal in the 87th minute.
Northland Tailevu now sits third on the points table with six points. Rakiraki will host Northland Tailevu this Sunday at 2pm at Penang Sangam High School ground in Rakiraki.