LABASA'S strong defence was the key to their 1-0 win over neighbours Savusavu in their National Football League game at Subrail Park in Labasa yesterday.
The Labasa defence worked overtime and managed to stop the boys from the hidden paradise from breaking through.
Despite the unbearable Babasiga heat, the Savusavu boys also worked hard in defence not losing hope as they tried to make use of the possession that came their way.
Even the absence of former Labasa striker Waisale Rasoki from the Savusavu side didn't deter the boys from Savusavu from putting up a good game.
Good defence from both sides saw no goals scored with the teams taking a nil-all half-time scoreline.
Labasa's Ilisoni Logaivau wasted no time scoring the only goal of the game just after 10 minutes.
Logaivau made use of his fancy dribbling skills to run through the Savusavu defence and fired home to bring the more than 300 fans at Subrail Park on their feet.
Attempts by Savusavu to respond with a goal didn't work out despite their continuous attacks inside the Labasa half.
Savusavu coach Manoj Lal said his boys played well especially in defending the ball.
"We need to lift our fitness level and improve our performance especially when we play Tavua and Ba in two weeks time."