The Viti Water Flow Lautoka football side ended the Digicel Premier League (DPL) 2021 season on a high note after coming from behind to beat a 10-man Labasa FC 2-1 in its final encounter at Churchill Park on Sunday.
Ilaisa Nayasi scored first for Labasa before the Babasiga Lions were reduced to 10 players after Taniela Waqa received a direct red card.
Afraz Ali equalised for the Blues before Zibraaz Sahib scored the winner.
The Blues were then presented with the new DPL silverware from the Fiji FA president, Rajesh Patel, and Digicel chief executive officer Farid Mohammed.
Patel congratulated Lautoka for winning the first DPL title.
He said the DPL winner and runner-up would have a playoff to qualify for the OFC Champions League next year.
“This was the 45th edition of the National League and the first edition of Digicel Premier League,” Patel said.
“Congratulations to Lautoka for winning the first Digicel Premier League. They have won the National League five times previously and this is their sixth victory.
“The winner of the Digicel Premier League (Lautoka FC) and the runner-up (Rewa FC) will play off in Fiji to qualify with seven other Oceania clubs to play for the FIFA Club World Cup qualification for the Oceania region,” Patel said.
He thanked Digicel for making this season possible by coming onboard with Fiji FA at a very difficult time.
“I would like to thank Digicel because without them, this would not have been possible.
“Digicel came onboard at a very difficult time during the pandemic and I thank Digicel for taking that social responsibility and making sure the healthy Fijians including the youths benefit from the sponsorship.”
Lautoka FC walked away with the new DPL trophy and $18,000 prizemoney.
Rewa FC will receive $6000 for finishing as runner-up while the Online I.T Solutions Ba FC gets $1000 for finishing third.
