RAKIRAKI soccer team breathed a sigh of relief after Tailevu Naitasiri's talisman Jonas Naceva was ruled out of their crucial third leg of the National Football League premier division decider in Ba today.
And playing in front of the home fans will the icing on the cake for the west-based team as they hope to feature in the promotion/relegation match.
Rakiraki scored an away goal in the first leg where they lost 1-2 at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori but came back strongly to pull a 1-0 home victory in the return match.
With Naceva out of the visitor's lineup, Rakiraki is hoping to accomplish its mission of playing the champions from the north.
Tailevu Naitasiri soccer boss Sundeep Roy said they would do anything to come out on top after today's game. "It is not going to be an easy game for us," Roy told Times Sport.
Midfielder Ashwin Lal and Naceva's striking partner Luke Cakaunivosa will not play today.
"They are playing at home, that is an advantage to them. We will not be playing with some of our key players. It is a huge blow for us but we are hoping to give our best shot," he said.
The games kicks off at 2pm at the Academy grounds in Ba.