NAVUA will go in as underdogs against soccer giants Ba in this Saturday's round of the Fiji Sun/ GP Batteries National Football League at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Navua team director Pravin Chand said while the team had trained hard for the past few weeks, the game against Ba would be a test for them.
Chand said they knew playing Ba would be tough as it would be their first game while Ba had already played two matches last week.
"This will be a real test for our players and our new team officials," Chand said.
"Our new coach Manoj Kumar has been doing a very good job in preparing this team and this is also a test for him in this new role.
"I believe the boys have trained well and they're ready for this big game against Ba."
Chand said while the team was ready for their opening match of the season, they needed the support of the Navua fans to boost the players' confidence.
"The team and the officials can't do it alone and we need the support from our fans in Navua," Chand said.
"Our coach used to live in Suva but has moved back to Navua so he can work closely with the players and for me I'm not from Navua but was only born there and here we are doing all we can to help Navua soccer.
"If the Navua supporters come in and support what we are doing I believe we will be able to take Navua soccer back to the top.
"To play Ba in our first game is the real test for the team and our new coach," Chand said.
This week's National Football League matches:
Saturday
Prince Charles Park, Nadi
1.30pm Navua-Ba; 3.30pm Nadi- Rewa.
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
1.30pm Nadroga-Labasa; 3:30pm Lautoka-Savusavu
Sunday
Churchill Park, Lautoka
1.30pm Nadroga-Savusavu; 3.30pm Lautoka-Labasa